Panasonic TS3 vs. Pentax WG-2 GPS: The Ultimate Waterproof Camera Showdown

When it comes to rugged, waterproof cameras designed for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers, few models hold their own under tough conditions better than the Panasonic TS3 and the Pentax WG-2 GPS. Both are compact, built to endure water, dust, and shocks, and come with built-in GPS for location tagging. But if you're weighing your options between these two, which one deserves a spot in your backpack? I've put both through their paces across various scenarios and photography genres, combining hands-on experience with deep technical insight to help you decide.

So, let's dive beyond their spec sheets and dig into what really matters - image quality, durability, handling, and suitability for your photography goals.

First Impressions: Size, Build, and Handling

At first glance, the Panasonic TS3 and Pentax WG-2 GPS look the part for rugged compact cameras: tough exteriors, rubberized grips, and relatively small footprints. But subtle differences in ergonomics and size impact usability in the field.

The TS3 is marginally smaller and lighter than the WG-2 GPS - measuring 103 x 64 x 27 mm and 197g versus the Pentax's 122 x 61 x 30 mm at 198g. That Panasonic compactness can be a blessing when you’re stowing the camera for travel or one-handed use during hikes.

Ergonomically, the TS3’s streamlined profile simplifies carrying, but the WG-2 GPS offers slightly more substantial grip areas and a more aggressive textured exterior, lending confidence when wet or icy. If your adventures involve gloves or slippery surfaces, you might find the WG-2’s grip preferable, while the TS3 caters well to those seeking lightweight, pocketable options.

Both cameras boast commendable rugged sealing, but Pentax goes a step further - the WG-2 GPS is not only waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof, but also crushproof, rated to withstand 100 kg of pressure. The Panasonic TS3 misses out on crushproof certification but compensates with excellent shock and freeze resistance.

Both cameras feature fixed zoom lenses; however, the lens barrel designs differ noticeably, affecting the balance when zooming and shooting. Overall, the build quality on both bodies feels robust and durable, but if you need crushproof ability for extreme environment work, Pentax takes the lead here.

Top Controls and Interface: Handling in Action

Once you start shooting, control layout and interface responsiveness become paramount - especially when timing counts in dynamic photography.

Both cameras eschew touchscreens, sticking to physical buttons and dials best suited for underwater and gloved operation. The Panasonic TS3 features a clean top plate with a prominent mode dial and an easily accessible shutter button, well weighted for smooth release. Its 2.7-inch LCD is fixed (more on that shortly), but the controls remain intuitive.

Pentax’s WG-2 GPS sports a wider 3-inch screen, higher resolution at 460k dots, and similar button placements optimized for wet conditions. It includes a dedicated “macro” button, facilitating quick access to close-up shooting, which I found handy during field testing.

Neither camera offers an optical or electronic viewfinder, which is typical for this class - relying exclusively on the LCD for framing. Both manufacturers designed their buttons without backlighting, which is a mild inconvenience in dim settings but manageable given the intended use cases.

In practice, the TS3’s buttons felt slightly quieter but a little smaller, while the Pentax buttons gave more tactile feedback. If user interface subtlety matters to you, this might tip your preference.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of It

At the end of the day, image quality reigns supreme - even more so when you're venturing out into landscapes, wildlife, or underwater worlds.

Here’s where fundamental differences surface between these models:

• Sensor Type & Size: Both cameras employ 1/2.3-inch sensors, a common size for compact rugged cameras. Panasonic’s TS3 is fitted with a 12MP CCD sensor, while Pentax’s WG-2 GPS steps up to a 16MP Backside-Illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor.

• Resolution & Image Details: The Pentax’s 16MP resolution gives you a bit more room to crop and print larger images with good detail retention. The BSI CMOS sensor architecture tends to perform better in low light compared to traditional CCDs, critical for indoor and night shooting.

• ISO Performance: Both cameras max out at ISO 6400; however, the WG-2 GPS has the edge due to sensor technology, yielding cleaner images with less noise at higher ISOs. The Panasonic’s CCD sensor is more prone to noise once you get beyond ISO 800 or so.

• Dynamic Range & Color Accuracy: In side-by-side shooting under mixed lighting conditions, I noticed the WG-2 GPS delivers richer color depth and broader dynamic range - preserving highlight and shadow details more effectively. The TS3’s colors are accurate and pleasant but slightly flatter by comparison.

Bear in mind, neither camera supports RAW output, and both apply in-camera JPEG processing with some degree of noise reduction and sharpening. For casual and adventure photography, this is acceptable, but professionals seeking post-processing flexibility will find these cameras limiting.

Autofocus and Focusing Performance: Getting Sharp, Every Time

For action, wildlife, or macro photography, autofocus speed and accuracy can make or break a shot.

• The Panasonic TS3 uses contrast-detection AF with 11 focus points, featuring continuous autofocus capability and face tracking. However, it lacks face/eye detection - an omission that becomes noticeable when doing portrait work or tracking moving subjects.

• Pentax WG-2 GPS has a 9-point contrast-only AF system, without continuous AF, but with face detection enabled. While single autofocus is slower due to a lack of continuous tracking, the WG-2’s face detection helps nail portraits or group shots effectively, even underwater.

Personally, I found the TS3’s autofocus hunting slightly faster and better optimized for action sequences or moving wildlife thanks to its continuous AF mode. The Pentax, on the other hand, excels in controlled scenarios where you have time to compose, focus, and shoot.

For macro photography (more on that later), the WG-2 GPS offers a closer focusing distance at 1 cm - significantly better than the TS3’s 5 cm minimum focus distance - which opens more creative possibilities for close-up shots. This is a real plus if you enjoy exploring small details in nature.

LCD Screens and Live View: Your Window to Composition

The LCD screen is your main composing and reviewing tool on both cameras.

The Pentax WG-2 GPS impresses here with a 3-inch widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating and 460k dots resolution, translating to sharp, viewable images even under bright sunlight. This makes outdoor framing more comfortable and accurate.

Conversely, the Panasonic TS3 features a smaller 2.7-inch fixed TFT LCD with 230k dots resolution - noticeably less sharp and less visible in harsh outdoor environments. It lacks a touchscreen interface, as does the Pentax, but the weaker display on the TS3 means you’ll sometimes struggle with contrast and confirmation of fine details.

Neither camera boasts an electronic viewfinder, so reliance on a quality LCD becomes essential. During my beach hikes and aquarium visits, the Pentax’s screen consistently delivered easier framing and quick on-the-fly adjustments.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Still Photography

If you plan to use your rugged camera for casual video capture or travel vlogging, video specs and quality matter.

Both Panasonic TS3 and Pentax WG-2 GPS provide Full HD 1080p video recording with some key differences:

• TS3: Offers 1080p at 60fps (progressive), 720p at 60fps, and supports both MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats. This allows smoother motion capture and slightly better compression options.

• WG-2 GPS: Delivers 1080p at 30fps, 720p at 60fps, and records in MPEG-4 and H.264 formats.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks, limiting external audio control. Video stabilization is present only on the TS3 (optical image stabilization), which helps reduce handheld shake noticeably - a bonus in action-oriented recording.

In real-world use, the TS3’s 60fps mode makes footage look more fluid, while the Pentax’s 30fps feels slightly more cinematic but less smooth. If video is a significant priority, Panasonic edges out modestly.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting All Day

Nothing is worse than a camera running out of juice mid-adventure.

• The Panasonic TS3 uses a proprietary battery pack delivering approximately 310 shots per charge under CIPA standards.

• The Pentax WG-2 GPS also employs a proprietary D-LI92 battery rated for around 260 shots per charge.

Practically, battery life will vary with temperature and use of GPS and LCD screen. The TS3’s superior rating should provide some reassurance for longer treks.

Both cameras rely on SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, with a single card slot each. The Pentax supports internal storage as well, but it’s fairly limited and primarily emergency-use.

Connectivity and Extras: Staying Connected on the Move

When it comes to wireless features, only the Pentax WG-2 GPS offers Wi-Fi support via Eye-Fi compatibility, allowing you to wirelessly transfer images to compatible devices - a handy feature for sharing shots quickly without cables.

Neither camera includes Bluetooth or NFC, which is understandable given the launch dates and category limitations.

Both have built-in GPS - a must-have for adventure photographers to geotag photos seamlessly. The Pentax even couples GPS with compass and depth gauge sensors, enhancing its outdoor toolset.

Diving into Photography Genres: How Do These Cameras Perform?

Let’s break down how these rugged cameras fare across various shooting disciplines:

Portrait Photography

The Pentax WG-2 GPS, with its face detection autofocus, 16MP sensor, and warmer color rendition, generally produces more flattering portraits with smoother skin tones. The closer macro focus also helps capture detail. Panasonic’s TS3 lacks face detection but benefits from faster startup and autofocus, which helps catch spontaneous expressions.

However, neither camera excels at shallow depth of field or professional-style bokeh due to their small sensor size and lens aperture limits. For casual portraits during outdoor activities, both suffice.

Landscape Photography

Landscape shooters will appreciate the Pentax’s higher resolution sensor, wider zoom range (28-140 mm vs. 28-128 mm on Panasonic), and better dynamic range. The WG-2 GPS’s crushproof design also reassures for rugged mountain shoots. Both cameras have weather sealing to withstand dust, water, and freezing temps, but the Pentax is slightly more rugged overall.

Panasonic’s TS3 can hold its own but may produce marginally noisier images under complex lighting.

Wildlife Photography

Quick autofocus and decent burst rates are critical here. The Panasonic offers 4fps continuous shooting with continuous AF, useful for capturing fast-moving subjects, while the Pentax stalls at 1fps with no continuous AF - less ideal for action. The longer zoom and sharper autofocus on the TS3 deliver more keepers, though the WG-2’s wider focal range may help slightly for distant subjects if you’re patient.

Sports Photography

Again, Panasonic’s 4fps burst with continuous autofocus makes it better equipped for sport scenes compared to the Pentax’s 1fps and single AF. Neither camera competes with DSLRs or mirrorless cameras for fast sports but for casual field use, TS3 has the advantage.

Street Photography

For candid street shots, size, discretion, and quick operation count. The Panasonic TS3’s compact size and faster AF gives it a slight edge, while the Pentax’s larger body and slower AF might impede stealthy shooting. Both cameras’ LCD display size and resolution affect framing, with Pentax better in bright scenes.

Macro Photography

The Pentax WG-2 GPS shines here with a minimum focusing distance of just 1cm and a dedicated macro button - great for botanists and insect photographers. Panasonic’s 5cm minimum focus is decent, but doesn’t allow the same level of close detail.

Night and Astro Photography

Low-light noise performance and exposure control matter. The Pentax’s BSI CMOS sensor handles high ISOs more gracefully and offers spot metering for tricky lighting. Panasonic exerts more noise at high ISO and lacks spot metering, which can hinder star or night shots. Neither camera supports manual exposure modes, limiting astro experimentation.

Video Use

If you want smoother videos at 1080p60 and optical stabilization, TS3 leads; Pentax provides dependable 1080p30 recording but without stabilization. Both lack audio input.

Travel Photography

Here, versatility counts most. The Panasonic’s smaller size, longer battery life, and smooth video performance make it ideal for light travel. Pentax’s added toughness, GPS features, and macro abilities appeal to those prioritizing extreme durability and detail photography.

Professional Applications

Neither was designed for professional workflows given lack of RAW, limited manual control, and basic sensors. For casual pro backup or rugged site documentation, both work - Pentax with more durability and versatility, Panasonic with faster handling.

Putting It All Together: Pros and Cons

Panasonic TS3 front Panasonic TS3 screen back Pentax WG 2 GPS front Pentax WG 2 GPS screen back

Here, sample images highlight the Pentax WG-2 GPS’s superior detail and color vibrancy, especially in low-light scenes. The Panasonic TS3 performs admirably in daylight but shows more noise and less dynamic range in shadows and highlights.

Scores at a Glance: Overall and Genre-Specific Performance

For a quick summary, here are overall ratings and specialty rankings based on my thorough testing - factoring sensor performance, autofocus, ergonomics, features, and image quality.

• Panasonic TS3 scores higher for action, sports, and video performance due to its continuous AF and video specs.
• Pentax WG-2 GPS leads in ruggedness, macro, landscape, and travel versatility.
• Both tie closely for portrait and general everyday photography.

Final Recommendations: Which Waterproof Camera Should You Buy?

Choosing between the Panasonic TS3 and the Pentax WG-2 GPS ultimately boils down to your priorities and shooting style.

• Choose Panasonic TS3 if:

  • You want a smaller, lighter camera for hiking and casual shooting.
  • Video performance at 1080p60 with stabilization matters.
  • You favor faster autofocus and continuous burst shooting for wildlife or sports.
  • Slightly longer battery life and easy handling appeal.

• Choose Pentax WG-2 GPS if:

  • Ultimate durability including crushproofing is a must.
  • You want higher resolution and better low-light or night shooting.
  • Macro photography plays a big role.
  • Larger, clearer LCD and added sensors (compass, depth gauge) are valued.
  • Wireless image transfer enhances your workflow.

Both cameras serve different niches within the rugged compact category. If budget is a key factor, the Pentax WG-2 GPS offers more bang for your buck at just under $300, while Panasonic’s TS3 commands a slight premium for speed and video upgrades.

Testing Notes and Conclusion

In compiling this comparison, I conducted extensive real-world trials - shooting landscapes at dawn, tracking moving wildlife, capturing underwater macro shots, and field-testing video stabilization and autofocus under varying conditions.

Neither camera is a professional-grade powerhouse - but that’s never the point of waterproof compacts. Their charm lies in adventure-ready durability and sufficiently strong image quality for enthusiasts and casual shooters who dread the risk of damaging higher-end gear.

While technology has evolved since their launch dates, these two remain sensible options if you prioritize ruggedness and portability without breaking the bank.

I hope my hands-on insights empower you to choose with confidence, whether you lean toward the versatile speed of Panasonic TS3 or the tough, detailed capabilities of Pentax WG-2 GPS. Whatever your next expedition, these cameras can be trusted companions.

Happy shooting!

For detailed image comparisons, control layouts, and further hands-on test videos, refer to my full reviews linked above.