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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS35
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS45
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 ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS40 was unveiled 24 months later than the WG-2 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a full comparison, here is a brief view of how the ZS40 matches up vs the WG-2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax WG-2

 ZS40 WG-2 
LaunchedJanuary 2014February 2012Fresher by 24 months
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic ZS40

 WG-2 ZS40 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax WG-2

 ZS40 WG-2 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS40 enjoys physical dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS40 compared to the WG-2.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS40 and WG-2 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing purely by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS40 and WG-2.

As you can see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Panasonic ZS40 to render extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics more aggressively. The fresher ZS40 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Portrait photography camera
52
has manual focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
40
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS40
Street photography with Pentax WG-2
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others (240 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
54
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography info
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography info
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
38
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography features
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography features
69
lighter than others (240 grams)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
70
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography advice
56
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
exports RAW formats
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
47
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging factors
34
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (240g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic port
30
pretty wide (28mm)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic jack
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax Optio WG-2
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2014-01-06 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
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 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 920k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD with AR coating Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 5.40 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240 gr (0.53 lb) 192 gr (0.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs 260 photographs
Battery format 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 card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $450 $350