• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Pentax WG-3

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax WG-3 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Less expensive
    $289* vs $450
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PL3

Pentax WG-3
Olympus E-PL3
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Internal flash
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 vs Olympus E-PL3

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Pentax WG-3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Internal flash
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Pentax WG-3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Pentax WG-3 GPS

Panasonic GF5
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Pentax WG-3
Pentax WG-3 GPS
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax WG-3 vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Panasonic GF5
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Pentax WG-3
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax WG-3 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Compare Other Cameras?