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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Announced January 2013
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released February 2012
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax WG-2, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is fairly comparable and they use the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The XS1 was released 12 months after the WG-2 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a short summary of how the XS1 matches up vs the WG-2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Pentax WG-2

 XS1 WG-2 
ReleasedJanuary 2013February 2012Newer by 12 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic XS1

 WG-2 XS1 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax WG-2

 XS1 WG-2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic XS1 features physical measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax WG-2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the XS1 vs the WG-2.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XS1 and WG-2 is 97 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through a spec sheet. The pic below will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the XS1 and WG-2.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical MP therefore you should expect comparable quality of images though you will need to take the production date of the cameras into account. The more modern XS1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Portrait photography camera
30
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
40
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection autofocus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic XS1
Street photography with Pentax WG-2
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (103 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
54
weather proofing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography highlights
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
38
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic XS1
Travel photography with Pentax WG-2
69
lighter than average in class (103 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
70
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography information
39
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
47
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic XS1
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2
31
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (103 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
30
pretty wide (28mm)
comes with face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Pentax Optio WG-2
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2013-01-07 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 103 grams (0.23 pounds) 192 grams (0.42 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 260 shots 260 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $130 $350