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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

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

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(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
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Announced August 2011
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax WG-1 GPS, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the WG-1 GPS (14MP) is very comparable and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was revealed 12 months later than the WG-1 GPS and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SZ5 matches up versus the WG-1 GPS when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 SZ5 WG-1 GPS 
AnnouncedJuly 2012August 2011More recent by 12 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Panasonic SZ5

 WG-1 GPS SZ5 
Focus manually More exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 SZ5 WG-1 GPS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ5 enjoys physical dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 GPS has specifications of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax WG-1 GPS in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ5 versus the WG-1 GPS.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and WG-1 GPS is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements merely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ5 and WG-1 GPS.

As you can see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact MP and you can expect comparable quality of images although you should consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The younger SZ5 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography factors
34
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
environment proof
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography highlights
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
37
decent megapixels (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography features
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography features
70
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
71
environment proof
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography factors
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
42
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging factors
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than others in class (136g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
25
really wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2012-07-18 2011-08-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
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 mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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
Microphone 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 gr (0.30 pounds) 167 gr (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" 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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $195 $350