• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax WG-3 GPS advantages over Panasonic ZS50

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    60 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Pentax WG-3 GPS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • More telephoto lens reach
    720 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Eye-catching, aggressive styling; Digital Microscope mode with 6 LED ring light; Improved ruggedness; Front-panel monochrome LCD readout; Can power up via inductive charging.

  • Struggles in low-light situations despite bright f/2 max lens aperture; So-so image and video quality; User interface has steep learning curve; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Pentax WG-3 GPS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax WG-3

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

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax WG-3

Panasonic ZS50
Pentax WG-3
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $289
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WG-3

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Panasonic ZS40
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS40

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Panasonic ZS50
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Compared to Ricoh WG-4

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Ricoh WG-4
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-4

Panasonic ZS50
Ricoh WG-4
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Ricoh WG-4

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Canon SX700 HS
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Canon SX700 HS

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