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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS45
Pentax WG-1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched February 2011
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax WG-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the ZS40 (18MP) and WG-1 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The ZS40 was manufactured 2 years after the WG-1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the ZS40 scores versus the WG-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax WG-1

 ZS40 WG-1 
LaunchedJanuary 2014February 2011Newer by 36 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Panasonic ZS40

 WG-1 ZS40 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax WG-1

 ZS40 WG-1 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS40 features external measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Pentax WG-1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax WG-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS40 and the WG-1.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS40 and WG-1 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions only by viewing a spec sheet. The pic below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS40 and WG-1.

As you can see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS40 to result in greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The fresher ZS40 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
52
has manual focus
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
35
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography factors
Pentax WG-1 Street photography factors
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (240g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
54
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Sports photography camera
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
offers tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
37
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competitors (240g)
resolution is good (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
71
environment sealing
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography features
Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography features
56
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (18MP)
supports RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
42
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
environment sealing
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging highlights
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging highlights
34
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (240g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone port
25
quite wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax WG-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax Optio WG-1
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2014-01-06 2011-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
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 18 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240g (0.53 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" 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 300 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 media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $450 $350