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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was announced 12 months later than the WG-2 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the SZ3 scores against the WG-2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax WG-2

 SZ3 WG-2 
ReleasedJanuary 2013February 2012More recent by 12 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic SZ3

 WG-2 SZ3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax WG-2

 SZ3 WG-2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ3 has external measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ3 and the WG-2.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and WG-2 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ3 and WG-2.

As you can see, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of files but you have to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer SZ3 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography features
30
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
40
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
offers face detection focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography details
Pentax WG-2 Street photography details
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
54
weather proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography advice
41
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
38
MP count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
Travel photography with Pentax WG-2
71
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
70
weather proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography factors
39
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
47
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
30
rather wide (28mm)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax Optio WG-2
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2013-01-07 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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
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)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.10 m 5.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 grams (0.28 lbs) 192 grams (0.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 photographs 260 photographs
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 One One
Pricing at launch $150 $350