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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2014
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
  • Introduced February 2011
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax WG-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was revealed 2 years after the WG-1 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the SZ8 grades vs the WG-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax WG-1

 SZ8 WG-1 
IntroducedJanuary 2014February 2011Newer by 36 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic SZ8

 WG-1 SZ8 
Manually focus More exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-1

 SZ8 WG-1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 has got outer measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax WG-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ8 vs the WG-1.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and WG-1 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The image below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and WG-1.

All in all, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Panasonic SZ8 to produce extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The newer SZ8 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
35
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
35
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography details
Pentax WG-1 Street photography details
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
weather sealing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Pentax WG-1
34
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
37
good resolution (14MP)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography information
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography information
67
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
weather sealing
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
42
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
42
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
good resolution (14MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging details
32
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than competitors in class (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
25
quite wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Optio WG-1
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Announced 2014-01-06 2011-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 pounds) 157g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 shots 260 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $275 $350