Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36


90 Imaging
39 Features
43 Overall
40
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Released January 2014
(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
- 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
- Announced July 2013

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview
The following is a extensive comparison of the Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the WG-3 GPS (16MP) is fairly comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SZ8 was manufactured 6 months after the WG-3 GPS and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a full comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ8 matches up against the WG-3 GPS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 and Pentax WG-3 GPS. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic SZ8 Gallery and Pentax WG-3 GPS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS
SZ8 | WG-3 GPS |
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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Panasonic SZ8
WG-3 GPS | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WG-3 GPS
SZ8 | WG-3 GPS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2014 | ![]() | July 2013 | Same generation |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 460k | Identical display resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lacking Touch friendly display |
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison
For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 comes with external dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax WG-3 GPS has dimensions of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ8 and the WG-3 GPS.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and WG-3 GPS is 94 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The image here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ8 and WG-3 GPS.
As you can plainly see, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution and you should expect comparable quality of files however you will need to consider the production date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Pentax WG-3 GPS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Pentax WG-3 GPS |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Released | 2014-01-06 | 2013-07-19 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | 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 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-288mm (12.0x) | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-6.3 | f/2.0-4.9 |
Macro focusing range | - | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8s | 4s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.20 m | 3.40 m |
Flash options | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 159g (0.35 pounds) | 238g (0.52 pounds) |
Dimensions | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") |
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 photos | 240 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Launch cost | $275 | $350 |