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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
44
Overall
41

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Pentax WG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Revealed July 2013
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax WG-3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is very similar and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was introduced 6 months later than the WG-3 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the SZ8 matches up versus the WG-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax WG-3

 SZ8 WG-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Panasonic SZ8

 WG-3 SZ8 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-3

 SZ8 WG-3 
RevealedJanuary 2014July 2013Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 enjoys external measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax WG-3 has proportions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax WG-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ8 against the WG-3.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and WG-3 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The photograph underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and WG-3.

All in all, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you should expect similar quality of files but you may want to factor the release date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography advice
35
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
40
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-3 Street photography factors
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography advice
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (200 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography factors
Pentax WG-3 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than average in class (159 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery life (200 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
72
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery life (200 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
53
you can focus manually
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
weather sealing
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging info
Pentax WG-3 Vlogging info
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
36
pretty wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have mic jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax WG-3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax WG-3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2014-01-06 2013-07-19
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m 3.40 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 metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 gr (0.35 pounds) 230 gr (0.51 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 200 photographs 240 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $275 $300