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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

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

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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 GPS
(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
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched August 2011
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the WG-1 GPS (14MP) is relatively close and they use the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S3 was announced 7 months earlier than the WG-1 GPS which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the S3 matches up against the WG-1 GPS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 S3 WG-1 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Panasonic S3

 WG-1 GPS S3 
LaunchedAugust 2011January 2011Fresher by 7 months
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 S3 WG-1 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 features exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 GPS has specifications of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the S3 against the WG-1 GPS.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and WG-1 GPS is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and WG-1 GPS.

Clearly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of images but you should really take the production date of the cameras into account. The older S3 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography info
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
focusing manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
54
weather proof
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography info
35
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
decent megapixels (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Pentax WG-1 GPS
68
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
weather proof
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography info
38
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
42
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14MP)
weather proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
25
pretty wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2011-01-05 2011-08-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
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)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 gr (0.26 lbs) 167 gr (0.37 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" 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 form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $110 $350