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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Announced July 2012
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2011
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax WG-1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is fairly comparable and they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ5 was introduced 18 months after the WG-1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick summation of how the SZ5 grades against the WG-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax WG-1

 SZ5 WG-1 
LaunchedJuly 2012February 2011More modern by 18 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic SZ5

 WG-1 SZ5 
Manual focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax WG-1

 SZ5 WG-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ5 has external dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax WG-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ5 against the WG-1.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and WG-1 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing specifications. The pic here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and WG-1.

To sum up, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of files but you should consider the release date of the cameras into account. The more recent SZ5 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ5
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
34
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
35
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-1 Street photography advice
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
environment proofing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
Sports photography with Pentax WG-1
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
37
MP count decent (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
environment proofing
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography information
42
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
42
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14MP)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging details
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging details
32
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
25
rather wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax WG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax Optio WG-1
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2012-07-18 2011-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount 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
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 136g (0.30 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 pictures 260 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $195 $350