Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax WG-1
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
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93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Launched May 2009
- Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
(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 ZS3 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview
In this write-up, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax WG-1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and WG-1 (14MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").
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The ZS3 was revealed 21 months prior to the WG-1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a short summation of how the ZS3 grades vs the WG-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax WG-1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 & Pentax Optio WG-1. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery & Pentax WG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax WG-1
ZS3 | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic ZS3
WG-1 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | February 2011 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 21 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focus |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax WG-1
ZS3 | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS3 offers outside dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax WG-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS3 against the WG-1.
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Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS3 and WG-1 is 91 and 93 respectively.
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS3 and WG-1.
As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can expect the Pentax WG-1 to deliver more detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older ZS3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Pentax Optio WG-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Pentax Optio WG-1 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-TZ7 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Launched | 2009-05-14 | 2011-02-07 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | - | 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 | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video format | AVCHD Lite | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | 229g (0.50 lb) | 157g (0.35 lb) |
Dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
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 |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $200 | $350 |