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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released February 2012
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax WG-2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was unveiled very close to the WG-2 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ1 matches up versus the WG-2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax WG-2

 SZ1 WG-2 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic SZ1

 WG-2 SZ1 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax WG-2

 SZ1 WG-2 
ReleasedJanuary 2012February 2012Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 has exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax WG-2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ1 against the WG-2.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and WG-2 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by viewing specs. The picture below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and WG-2.

All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution and you can expect comparable quality of files although you might want to consider the age of the cameras into account.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography details
34
good MP (16MP)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
40
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (131 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
54
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography factors
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
38
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than average in class (131 grams)
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
70
environment proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Landscape photography camera
43
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
47
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging factors
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than average in class (131g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
30
decently wide (28mm)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Optio WG-2
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2012-01-09 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 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 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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 format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131 grams (0.29 lb) 192 grams (0.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 250 photos 260 photos
Form 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
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $179 $350