Panasonic S1 vs Pentax WG-3
96 Imaging
35 Features
21 Overall
29


90 Imaging
39 Features
44 Overall
41
Panasonic S1 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Announced January 2011
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
- Revealed July 2013

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview
Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic S1 and Pentax WG-3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the S1 (12MP) and WG-3 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The S1 was launched 3 years earlier than the WG-3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the S1 scores versus the WG-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax WG-3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 and Pentax WG-3. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic S1 Gallery and Pentax WG-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax WG-3
S1 | WG-3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Panasonic S1
WG-3 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2013 | ![]() | January 2011 | Newer by 30 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax WG-3
S1 | WG-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Panasonic S1 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S1 offers external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax WG-3 has dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).
Check the Panasonic S1 and Pentax WG-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the S1 compared to the WG-3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and WG-3 is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions only by researching a spec sheet. The image below may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and WG-3.
As you can see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-3 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged S1 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | Pentax WG-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 | Pentax WG-3 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Announced | 2011-01-05 | 2013-07-19 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine IV | - |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | f/2.0-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8s | 4s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter speed | - | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 3.40 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 117 grams (0.26 pounds) | 230 grams (0.51 pounds) |
Dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 240 photographs | 240 photographs |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $269 | $300 |