Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 vs Pentax WG-3

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 and the Pentax WG-3, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 was introduced in January 2009 and Pentax WG-3 was introduced in July 2013. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 over Pentax WG-3.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax WG-3 over Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 and Pentax WG-3 have 3.0" Fixed screens with 230k dot and 460k dot resolutions respectively.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 features a 12 megapixel 1/2.33-inch CCD sensor with dimensions of 6.08 x 4.56 mm and a total area of 27.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 80 - 1,600 and expands to 80 - 6,400 in boosted mode. Pentax WG-3 features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 125 - 6,400.

Pentax WG-3 has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 can take pictures up to 4000 x 3000 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4000 x 2672, 4000 x 2248, 3264 x 2448, 3264 x 2176, 3264 x 1840, 2560 x 1920, 2560 x 1712, 2560 x 1440, 2048 x 1536, 2048 x 1360, 1920 x 1080, 1600 x 1200, 640 x 480 with 16:9, 4:3, 3:2 aspect ratios. Pentax WG-3 can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4288 x 3216, 4224 x 2376, 3216 x 3216, 3072 x 2304, 3072 x 1728, 2592 x 1944, 2592 x 1464, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 1:1, 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 comes with Lithium-Ion rechargeable & charger battery pack and Pentax WG-3 comes with D-LI92 battery pack with battery life of 240 shots.

External Storage Slots

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 has a single SD/MMC/SDHC card slot. Pentax WG-3 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580, and up to 1/4000 sec on Pentax WG-3. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 can shoot continuously up to 2.3 fps. Pentax WG-3 can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 and 3.40 m on Pentax WG-3..

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 body has dimensions of 95 x 57 x 22 mm (3.74 x 2.24 x 0.87") and Pentax WG-3 body has dimensions of 124 x 64 x 33 mm (4.88 x 2.52 x 1.3"). Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 weighs 167 g (0.37 lb / 5.89 oz) and Pentax WG-3 weighs 230 g (0.51 lb / 8.11 oz).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580

Pentax WG-3

95 mm

57 mm

124 mm

64 mm