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Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
93
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Panasonic TS1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 189g - 98 x 63 x 23mm
  • Announced January 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FT1
  • New Model is Panasonic TS2
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
  • Launched July 2013
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Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Panasonic TS1 versus Pentax WG-3, both Waterproof digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the TS1 (12MP) and WG-3 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The TS1 was revealed 5 years before the WG-3 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the TS1 matches up against the WG-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS1 over the Pentax WG-3

 TS1 WG-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Panasonic TS1

 WG-3 TS1 
LaunchedJuly 2013January 2009More modern by 54 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS1 and Pentax WG-3

 TS1 WG-3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic TS1 comes with outer dimensions of 98mm x 63mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 0.9") having a weight of 189 grams (0.42 lbs) and the Pentax WG-3 has measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

See the Panasonic TS1 versus Pentax WG-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the TS1 vs the WG-3.

Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TS1 and WG-3 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to imagine the difference between sensor sizes only by reading a spec sheet. The picture here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the TS1 and WG-3.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax WG-3 to offer greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged TS1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS1 Portrait photography information
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography information
20
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
41
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
has face detect focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS1 Street photography features
Pentax WG-3 Street photography features
61
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS1 Sports photography factors
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography factors
29
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS1 Travel photography info
Pentax WG-3 Travel photography info
61
environment proof
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
72
environment sealing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery power (240 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS1 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography information
35
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
environment proof
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
54
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery power (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Vlogging camera
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
36
pretty wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no mic socket
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Panasonic TS1 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS1 and Pentax WG-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1Pentax WG-3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 Pentax WG-3
Also called as Lumix DMC-FT1 -
Class Waterproof Waterproof
Announced 2009-01-27 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-128mm (4.6x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 189g (0.42 lb) 230g (0.51 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 63 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 0.9") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 - 240 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $380 $300