Panasonic GH7 vs Pentax WG-8
The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH7 and the Pentax WG-8 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public in June 2024. The GH7 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the WG-8 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (GH7) and a 1/2.3-inch (WG-8) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 25 megapixels, whereas the Pentax provides 20.2 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
![logo](/abc-i0/logo-panasonic-120x40.webp)
Check GH7 price at
amazon.com
![logo](/abc-i0/logo-pentax-120x40.webp)
Check WG-8 price at
amazon.com
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH7 and the Pentax WG-8? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.
Body comparison
The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Panasonic GH7 and the Pentax WG-8. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The WG-8 can be obtained in two different colors (black, green), while the GH7 is only available in black.
![Size Panasonic GH7 vs Pentax WG-8](/abc-i3a/panasonic-gh7-vs-pentax-wg-8-front-a.webp)
![Compare GH7 versus WG-8 top](/abc-i3a/panasonic-gh7-vs-pentax-wg-8-top-a.webp)
![Comparison GH7 or WG-8 rear](/abc-i3a/panasonic-gh7-vs-pentax-wg-8-rear-a.webp)
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax WG-8 is considerably smaller (44 percent) than the Panasonic GH7. In this context, it is worth noting that both cameras are splash and dust-proof and can, hence, be used in inclement weather conditions or harsh environments. More than that, the WG-8 is water-proof up to 20m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.
The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the WG-8 has a lens built in, whereas the GH7 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the GH7 and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.
Concerning battery life, the GH7 gets 380 shots out of its Panasonic DMW-BLK23 battery, while the WG-8 can take 340 images on a single charge of its Ricoh DB-110 power pack. The power pack in the GH7 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.
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Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic GH7 | 138 mm | 100 mm | 100 mm | 805 g | 380 | Y | Jun 2024 | US$ 2 199 | amazon.com | |
2. | Pentax WG-8 | 118 mm | 66 mm | 33 mm | 242 g | 340 | Y | Jun 2024 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
3. | Nikon W300 | 112 mm | 66 mm | 29 mm | 231 g | 280 | Y | May 2017 | US$ 389 | ebay.com | |
4. | Nikon Z6 III | 139 mm | 102 mm | 74 mm | 670 g | 380 | Y | Jun 2024 | US$ 2 499 | amazon.com | |
5. | Nikon Zf | 144 mm | 103 mm | 49 mm | 710 g | 380 | Y | Sep 2023 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
6. | OM System OM-1 II | 135 mm | 92 mm | 73 mm | 599 g | 500 | Y | Jan 2024 | US$ 2 399 | amazon.com | |
7. | Panasonic G9 II | 134 mm | 102 mm | 90 mm | 658 g | 390 | Y | Sep 2023 | US$ 1 899 | amazon.com | |
8. | Panasonic GH5 | 139 mm | 98 mm | 87 mm | 725 g | 410 | Y | Jan 2017 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
9. | Panasonic GH5 II | 139 mm | 98 mm | 87 mm | 727 g | 400 | Y | May 2021 | US$ 1 699 | amazon.com | |
10. | Panasonic GH5s | 139 mm | 98 mm | 87 mm | 660 g | 440 | Y | Jan 2018 | US$ 2 499 | amazon.com | |
11. | Panasonic GH6 | 138 mm | 100 mm | 100 mm | 823 g | 360 | Y | Feb 2022 | US$ 2 199 | amazon.com | |
12. | Panasonic S5 | 133 mm | 98 mm | 82 mm | 714 g | 440 | Y | Sep 2020 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
13. | Panasonic S5 II | 134 mm | 102 mm | 90 mm | 740 g | 370 | Y | Jan 2023 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
14. | Panasonic TS7 | 117 mm | 76 mm | 37 mm | 319 g | 300 | Y | May 2018 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
15. | Pentax WG-1000 | 116 mm | 69 mm | 51 mm | 220 g | 300 | Y | Jun 2024 | US$ 229 | amazon.com | |
16. | Ricoh WG-6 | 118 mm | 66 mm | 33 mm | 246 g | 340 | Y | Feb 2019 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
17. | Sony HX99 | 102 mm | 58 mm | 36 mm | 242 g | 370 | n | Aug 2018 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices give an idea on the placement of the camera in the maker’s lineup and the broader market. The WG-8 was launched at a lower price than the GH7, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison
The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic GH7 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Pentax WG-8 a 1/2.3-inch sensor. The sensor area in the WG-8 is 88 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 5.6. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.
![Panasonic GH7 and Pentax WG-8 sensor measures](/abc-i3a/panasonic-gh7-vs-pentax-wg-8-sensor-a.webp)
With 25MP, the GH7 offers a higher resolution than the WG-8 (20.2MP), but the GH7 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.00μm versus 1.18μm for the WG-8) due to its larger sensor. It is noteworthy in this context that the two cameras were released in close succession, so that their sensors are from the same technological generation. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that neither of the two cameras has an anti-alias filter installed, so they are able to capture all the detail the sensor resolves.
The resolution advantage of the Panasonic GH7 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the GH7 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 28.9 x 21.7 inches or 73.4 x 55.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 23.1 x 17.3 inches or 58.7 x 44.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 19.3 x 14.5 inches or 48.9 x 36.7 cm. The corresponding values for the Pentax WG-8 are 25.9 x 19.4 inches or 65.8 x 49.4 cm for good quality, 20.7 x 15.6 inches or 52.7 x 39.5 cm for very good quality, and 17.3 x 13 inches or 43.9 x 32.9 cm for excellent quality prints.
The GH7 has on-sensor phase detect pixels, which results in fast and reliable autofocus acquisition even during live view operation.
Unlike the WG-8, the GH7 has the capacity to capture high quality composite images (100MP) by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).
The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH7 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 50-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax WG-8 are ISO 125 to ISO 6400 (no boost).
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
![GH7 versus WG-8 MP](/abc-i3a/panasonic-gh7-vs-pentax-wg-8-resolution-a.webp)
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.
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Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic GH7 | Four Thirds | 25.0 | 5776 | 4336 | 5.7K/60p | 23.4 | 13.6 | 1784 | 78 | |
2. | Pentax WG-8 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.9 | 12.8 | 1626 | 54 | |
3. | Nikon W300 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 4K/30p | 20.5 | 12.0 | 938 | 50 | |
4. | Nikon Z6 III | Full Frame | 24.3 | 6048 | 4024 | 6K/60p | 25.4 | 14.8 | 3318 | 97 | |
5. | Nikon Zf | Full Frame | 24.3 | 6048 | 4024 | 4K/60p | 25.4 | 14.7 | 3243 | 96 | |
6. | OM System OM-1 II | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.4 | 13.6 | 1749 | 78 | |
7. | Panasonic G9 II | Four Thirds | 25.0 | 5776 | 4336 | 5.7K/60p | 23.4 | 13.5 | 1710 | 78 | |
8. | Panasonic GH5 | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.9 | 13.0 | 807 | 77 | |
9. | Panasonic GH5 II | Four Thirds | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/60p | 23.7 | 13.1 | 1136 | 79 | |
10. | Panasonic GH5s | Four Thirds | 9.9 | 3680 | 2700 | 4K/60p | 23.1 | 12.8 | 1154 | 74 | |
11. | Panasonic GH6 | Four Thirds | 25.0 | 5776 | 4336 | 5.7K/60p | 23.4 | 13.4 | 1555 | 77 | |
12. | Panasonic S5 | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/60p | 25.1 | 14.5 | 2697 | 94 | |
13. | Panasonic S5 II | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 6K/30p | 25.4 | 14.6 | 3158 | 96 | |
14. | Panasonic TS7 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1028 | 51 | |
15. | Pentax WG-1000 | 1/2.3 | 15.9 | 4608 | 3456 | 1080/30p | 20.9 | 12.8 | 1626 | 54 | |
16. | Ricoh WG-6 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.7 | 12.2 | 1104 | 52 | |
17. | Sony HX99 | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1058 | 51 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The two cameras under consideration both have sensors whose read-out speed is fast enough to capture moving pictures, but the GH7 provides a higher video resolution than the WG-8. It can shoot video footage at 5.7K/60p, while the Pentax is limited to 4K/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the GH7 has an electronic viewfinder (3680k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the WG-8 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Panasonic GH7 and Pentax WG-8 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
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Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic GH7 | 3680 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | full-flex | Y | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | Y | |
2. | Pentax WG-8 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 8.0/s | Y | n | |
3. | Nikon W300 | none | n | 3.0 / 921 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 7.0/s | Y | Y | |
4. | Nikon Z6 III | 5760 | Y | 3.2 / 2100 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | Y | |
5. | Nikon Zf | 3690 | n | 3.2 / 2100 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | Y | |
6. | OM System OM-1 II | 5760 | n | 3.0 / 1640 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
7. | Panasonic G9 II | 3680 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 10.0/s | n | Y | |
8. | Panasonic GH5 | 3680 | n | 3.2 / 1620 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
9. | Panasonic GH5 II | 3680 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | Y | |
10. | Panasonic GH5s | 3680 | n | 3.2 / 1620 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 12.0/s | n | n | |
11. | Panasonic GH6 | 3680 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | full-flex | Y | 1/8000s | 14.0/s | n | Y | |
12. | Panasonic S5 | 2360 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 7.0/s | n | Y | |
13. | Panasonic S5 II | 3680 | n | 3.0 / 1840 | swivel | Y | 1/8000s | 9.0/s | n | Y | |
14. | Panasonic TS7 | 1170 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/1300s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
15. | Pentax WG-1000 | none | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 8.0/s | Y | n | |
16. | Ricoh WG-6 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 1.0/s | Y | n | |
17. | Sony HX99 | 638 | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The GH7 has a touchscreen, while the WG-8 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.
The GH7 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the WG-8 does not have a selfie-screen.The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).
The Panasonic GH7 and the Pentax WG-8 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.
The GH7 writes its imaging data to CFexpress (type B) or SDXC cards, while the WG-8 uses SDXC cards. The GH7 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the WG-8 only has one slot. The GH7 supports UHS-II cards (on both slots), while the WG-8 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.
Connectivity comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH7 and Pentax WG-8 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
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Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic GH7 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
2. | Pentax WG-8 | - | mono / mono | - | - | - | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Nikon W300 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
4. | Nikon Z6 III | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
5. | Nikon Zf | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
6. | OM System OM-1 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.0 | Y | - | Y | |
7. | Panasonic G9 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
8. | Panasonic GH5 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
9. | Panasonic GH5 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
10. | Panasonic GH5s | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.1 | Y | - | Y | |
11. | Panasonic GH6 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
12. | Panasonic S5 | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | micro | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
13. | Panasonic S5 II | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.2 | Y | - | Y | |
14. | Panasonic TS7 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
15. | Pentax WG-1000 | - | mono / mono | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
16. | Ricoh WG-6 | - | mono / mono | - | - | micro | 3.0 | - | - | - | |
17. | Sony HX99 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y |
It is notable that the GH7 has a hotshoe, while the WG-8 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Panasonic GH7 (unlike the WG-8) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
Both the GH7 and the WG-8 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The GH7 replaced the earlier Panasonic GH6, while the WG-8 does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Panasonic and Pentax websites.
Review summary
So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Panasonic GH7 better than the Pentax WG-8 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.
![logo](/abc-i0/logo-panasonic-120x40.webp)
Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DC-GH7:
- More detail: Offers more megapixels (25 vs 20.2MP) with a 11% higher linear resolution.
- High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
- Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
- Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
- More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
- Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (5.7K/60p vs 4K/30p).
- Better live-view autofocus: Features on-sensor phase-detection for more confident autofocus.
- Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
- Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
- Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1840k vs 1040k dots).
- More flexible LCD: Has a full-flex screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
- Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
- More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (14 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- More flexible: Accepts interchangeable lenses, so that lens characteristics can be altered.
- Longer lasting: Can take more shots (380 versus 340) on a single battery charge.
- Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
- Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
- Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
- Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
- Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
- Faster buffer clearing: Supports Ultra High Speed (UHS-II) SDXC cards on both slots.
![logo](/abc-i0/logo-pentax-120x40.webp)
Arguments in favor of the Pentax WG-8:
- Ready to shoot: Has an integrated lens, whereas the GH7 necessitates an extra lens.
- More compact: Is smaller (118x66mm vs 138x100mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the GH7).
- Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 20m).
- Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
- More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GH7 is the clear winner of the match-up (28 : 6 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.
How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic GH7 and the Pentax WG-8 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the GH7 or the WG-8 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is why expert reviews are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.
![scroll hint](/abc-i0/scroll-hint-104x104.webp)
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic GH7 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jun 2024 | US$ 2 199 | amazon.com | |
2. | Pentax WG-8 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jun 2024 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
3. | Nikon W300 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | May 2017 | US$ 389 | ebay.com | |
4. | Nikon Z6 III | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jun 2024 | US$ 2 499 | amazon.com | |
5. | Nikon Zf | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 90/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Sep 2023 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
6. | OM System OM-1 II | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jan 2024 | US$ 2 399 | amazon.com | |
7. | Panasonic G9 II | 5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 87/100 | .. | 4.5/5 | Sep 2023 | US$ 1 899 | amazon.com | |
8. | Panasonic GH5 | 4.5/5 | + + | .. | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jan 2017 | US$ 1 999 | ebay.com | |
9. | Panasonic GH5 II | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | 85/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | May 2021 | US$ 1 699 | amazon.com | |
10. | Panasonic GH5s | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2018 | US$ 2 499 | amazon.com | |
11. | Panasonic GH6 | 5/5 | + + | 5/5 | 87/100 | 5/5 | 5/5 | Feb 2022 | US$ 2 199 | amazon.com | |
12. | Panasonic S5 | 4.5/5 | + + | 4.5/5 | 88/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2020 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
13. | Panasonic S5 II | 4.5/5 | + + | 5/5 | 90/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Jan 2023 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
14. | Panasonic TS7 | .. | + | .. | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | May 2018 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
15. | Pentax WG-1000 | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Jun 2024 | US$ 229 | amazon.com | |
16. | Ricoh WG-6 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | Feb 2019 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
17. | Sony HX99 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2018 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
![logo](/abc-i0/logo-panasonic-120x40.webp)
Check GH7 price at
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![logo](/abc-i0/logo-pentax-120x40.webp)
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Other camera comparisons
Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
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- Pentax WG-8 vs Sony A6700
- Pentax WG-8 vs Sony A9 III
Specifications: Panasonic GH7 vs Pentax WG-8
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Panasonic GH7 | Pentax WG-8 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | Fixed lens compact camera |
Camera Lens | Micro Four Thirds lenses | 28-140mm f/3.5-5.5 |
Launch Date | June 2024 | June 2024 |
Launch Price | USD 2,199 | USD 399 |
Sensor Specs | Panasonic GH7 | Pentax WG-8 |
Sensor Technology | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor Format | Four Thirds Sensor | 1/2.3" Sensor |
Sensor Size | 17.3 x 13.0 mm | 6.17 x 4.55 mm |
Sensor Area | 224.9 mm2 | 28.0735 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 21.6 mm | 7.7 mm |
Crop Factor | 2.0x | 5.6x |
Sensor Resolution | 25 Megapixels | 20.2 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 5776 x 4336 pixels | 5184 x 3888 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 3.00 μm | 1.18 μm |
Pixel Density | 11.14 MP/cm2 | 71.80 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | no AA filter | no AA filter |
Movie Capability | 5.7K/60p Video | 4K/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 100 - 25,600 ISO | 125 - 6,400 ISO |
ISO Boost | 50 - 25,600 ISO | no Enhancement |
Screen Specs | Panasonic GH7 | Pentax WG-8 |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | no viewfinder |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 3680k dots | |
LCD Framing | Live View | Live View |
Rear LCD Size | 3.0inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 1840k dots | 1040k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fully flexible screen | Fixed screen |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | no Touchscreen |
Shooting Specs | Panasonic GH7 | Pentax WG-8 |
Focus System | On-Sensor Phase-detect | Contrast-detect AF |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | no Peaking Feature |
Continuous Shooting | 14 shutter flaps/s | 8 shutter flaps/s |
Electronic Shutter | up to 1/32000s | up to 1/4000s |
Time-Lapse Photography | Intervalometer built-in | Intervalometer built-in |
Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | no handshake reduction |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | CFexB or SDXC cards | SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | Single card slot |
UHS card support | Dual UHS-II | no |
Connectivity Specs | Panasonic GH7 | Pentax WG-8 |
External Flash | Hotshoe | no Hotshoe |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | no PC Sync |
USB Connector | USB 3.2 | USB 3.0 |
HDMI Port | full HDMI | no HDMI |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | no MIC socket |
Headphone Socket | Headphone port | no Headphone port |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | no Wifi |
Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | no Bluetooth |
Body Specs | Panasonic GH7 | Pentax WG-8 |
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | Waterproof body (20m) |
Battery Type | Panasonic DMW-BLK23 | Ricoh DB-110 |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 380 shots per charge | 340 shots per charge |
In-Camera Charging | USB charging | no USB charging |
Body Dimensions |
138 x 100 x 100 mm (5.4 x 3.9 x 3.9 in) |
118 x 66 x 33 mm (4.6 x 2.6 x 1.3 in) |
Camera Weight | 805 g (28.4 oz) | 242 g (8.5 oz) |
![logo](/abc-i0/logo-panasonic-120x40.webp)
Check GH7 price at
amazon.com
![logo](/abc-i0/logo-pentax-120x40.webp)
Check WG-8 price at
amazon.com
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