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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • Launched January 2011
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2011
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax WG-1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is relatively similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S3 was unveiled at a similar time to the WG-1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a concise view of how the S3 grades against the WG-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax WG-1

 S3 WG-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic S3

 WG-1 S3 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax WG-1

 S3 WG-1 
IntroducedJanuary 2011February 2011Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S3 provides external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax WG-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the S3 versus the WG-1.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and WG-1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and WG-1.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs although you have to take the production date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography features
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
35
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
environment proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography info
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
37
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography info
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography info
68
lighter than competition (117 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
71
environment proofing
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography info
38
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
42
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good resolution (14MP)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S3
Vlogging with Pentax WG-1
31
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic support
25
fairly wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax WG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2011-01-05 2011-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117g (0.26 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 250 pictures 260 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $110 $350