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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
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
  • Launched February 2012
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is fairly comparable and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was brought out 24 months later than the WG-2 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SZ8 scores versus the WG-2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax WG-2

 SZ8 WG-2 
LaunchedJanuary 2014February 2012Fresher by 24 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic SZ8

 WG-2 SZ8 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-2

 SZ8 WG-2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 has external dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ8 compared to the WG-2.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and WG-2 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing specs. The photograph below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and WG-2.

All in all, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of files however you should factor the production date of the cameras into account. The newer SZ8 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-2
35
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
40
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
54
environment sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography info
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
38
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
slow frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography advice
67
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (200 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
70
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography highlights
42
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery power (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
47
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging highlights
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging highlights
32
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (159g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
30
pretty wide (28mm)
supports face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone port
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Optio WG-2
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2014-01-06 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 5.40 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 pounds) 192g (0.42 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 200 photographs 260 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $275 $350