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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LZ30
Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released February 2012
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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax WG-2 GPS, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the LZ40 (20MP) and WG-2 GPS (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The LZ40 was revealed 24 months later than the WG-2 GPS making them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax WG-2 GPS being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a brief summary of how the LZ40 scores against the WG-2 GPS for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 LZ40 WG-2 GPS 
ReleasedJanuary 2014February 2012Fresher by 24 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Panasonic LZ40

 WG-2 GPS LZ40 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 LZ40 WG-2 GPS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic LZ40 has physical dimensions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") along with a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 GPS has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax WG-2 GPS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the LZ40 against the WG-2 GPS.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the LZ40 and WG-2 GPS is 67 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the LZ40 and WG-2 GPS.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Panasonic LZ40 to resolve more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The fresher LZ40 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
40
MP count good (20MP)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
40
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography advice
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than others in class (524 grams)
54
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Sports photography details
Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography details
47
long zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
38
good resolution (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Travel photography camera
55
MP count good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (22mm)
very long reach (924mm)
no Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (524g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
70
weather proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography features
44
relatively wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
47
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic LZ40
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2 GPS
27
relatively wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
does have external microphone jack
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than others in class (524 grams)
30
fairly wide (28mm)
provides face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2014-01-06 2012-02-07
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 5152 x 3864 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-924mm (42.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.80 m 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 524 grams (1.16 lb) 198 grams (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 shots 260 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $219 $300