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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS20
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2011
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS15 was brought out 17 months after the WG-1 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ZS15 scores versus the WG-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax WG-1

 ZS15 WG-1 
IntroducedJune 2012February 2011More modern by 17 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic ZS15

 WG-1 ZS15 
Manual focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax WG-1

 ZS15 WG-1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS15 enjoys physical dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 in the all 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 utilizing at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS15 vs the WG-1.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and WG-1 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading through specs. The pic underneath should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS15 and WG-1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Pentax WG-1 to resolve greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger ZS15 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
21
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
35
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography details
Pentax WG-1 Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography highlights
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
37
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors in class (208g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (260 shots)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
71
weather sealing
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography highlights
37
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery (260 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
42
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging advice
33
fairly wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
25
quite wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax WG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax Optio WG-1
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2012-06-29 2011-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Display resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 208 grams (0.46 lbs) 157 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photos 260 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $279 $350