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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced February 2012
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax WG-2 GPS, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and WG-2 GPS (16MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and WG-2 GPS (1/2.3") have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS1 was launched 3 years prior to the WG-2 GPS which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the ZS1 scores against the WG-2 GPS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 ZS1 WG-2 GPS 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Panasonic ZS1

 WG-2 GPS ZS1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012May 2009Newer by 33 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 ZS1 WG-2 GPS 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS1 comes with exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 GPS has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax WG-2 GPS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the ZS1 compared to the WG-2 GPS.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS1 and WG-2 GPS is 91 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over technical specs. The image below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS1 and WG-2 GPS.

As you have seen, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS1 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax WG-2 GPS will offer more detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged ZS1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS1
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
25
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
40
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Street photography advice
Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography advice
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
54
weather proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography information
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect AF
38
decent MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography advice
63
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
70
weather proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
47
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone socket
30
rather wide (28mm)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
no mic socket
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2009-05-14 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 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)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 gr (0.50 lbs) 198 gr (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 - 260 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $0 $300