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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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
  • Launched February 2012
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic ZR3 versus Pentax WG-2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is very comparable and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ZR3 was introduced 24 months before the WG-2 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the ZR3 scores versus the WG-2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Pentax WG-2

 ZR3 WG-2 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic ZR3

 WG-2 ZR3 
LaunchedFebruary 2012January 2010More recent by 24 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax WG-2

 ZR3 WG-2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZR3 enjoys exterior measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZR3 versus Pentax WG-2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the ZR3 vs the WG-2.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR3 and WG-2 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualise the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through a spec sheet. The photograph below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR3 and WG-2.

As you can see, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Pentax WG-2 to produce extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The older ZR3 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography factors
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
40
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography information
Pentax WG-2 Street photography information
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
54
environment proofing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Sports photography camera
37
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
38
megapixel count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Travel photography factors
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography factors
65
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
70
environment proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography advice
37
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
47
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Vlogging camera
29
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
30
quite wide (28mm)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Pentax Optio WG-2
Alternative name Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Released 2010-01-26 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II -
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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159g (0.35 lbs) 192g (0.42 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 260 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $280 $350