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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3 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
  • Launched January 2013
Pentax WG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Panasonic SZ3 versus Pentax WG-3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ3 was released 6 months earlier than the WG-3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SZ3 matches up vs the WG-3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax WG-3

 SZ3 WG-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Panasonic SZ3

 WG-3 SZ3 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax WG-3

 SZ3 WG-3 
LaunchedJanuary 2013July 2013Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ3 features outside measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-3 has dimensions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ3 versus Pentax WG-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SZ3 and the WG-3.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and WG-3 is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements only by checking specifications. The graphic here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ3 and WG-3.

To sum up, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same MP therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs though you might want to take the production date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
30
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
41
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-3 Street photography factors
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography features
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography features
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (240 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than others (126 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
72
environment sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
bad battery power (240 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
39
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
54
you can focus manually
really wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery power (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Vlogging camera
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic port
36
really wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax WG-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax WG-3
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax WG-3
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2013-01-07 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126g (0.28 pounds) 230g (0.51 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 250 photos 240 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $150 $300