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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

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

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost 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 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Launched February 2012
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

Here, we will be comparing the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax WG-2 GPS, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the WG-2 GPS (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was introduced 24 months after the WG-2 GPS which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SZ8 matches up versus the WG-2 GPS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 SZ8 WG-2 GPS 
LaunchedJanuary 2014February 2012Newer by 24 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Panasonic SZ8

 WG-2 GPS SZ8 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 SZ8 WG-2 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 offers physical measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax WG-2 GPS has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax WG-2 GPS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ8 against the WG-2 GPS.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

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

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading through specs. The image underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and WG-2 GPS.

All in all, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of photos but you should really factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The younger SZ8 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
40
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography features
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography advice
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
38
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than average (159g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
no Timelapse function
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
70
environment sealing
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography details
Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography details
42
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
no Timelapse function
47
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging features
32
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than average (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone support
30
quite wide (28mm)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
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 dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
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)
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 5.40 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lbs) 198 gr (0.44 lbs)
Physical 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 photos 260 photos
Battery format 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
Pricing at launch $275 $300