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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
40
Overall
37
Canon ELPH 500 HS front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Canon ELPH 500 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-105mm (F2.0-5.8) lens
  • 185g - 101 x 56 x 25mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Alternate Name is IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Pentax WG-2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by companies Canon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the ELPH 500 HS (12MP) and WG-2 (16MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ELPH 500 HS was brought out 12 months earlier than the WG-2 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the ELPH 500 HS matches up against the WG-2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon ELPH 500 HS over the Pentax WG-2

 ELPH 500 HS WG-2 
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Canon ELPH 500 HS

 WG-2 ELPH 500 HS 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2011More recent by 12 months
Manual focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Pentax WG-2

 ELPH 500 HS WG-2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Canon ELPH 500 HS offers outer dimensions of 101mm x 56mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while 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).

Contrast the Canon ELPH 500 HS and Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the ELPH 500 HS vs the WG-2.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ELPH 500 HS and WG-2 is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to see the difference between sensor measurements only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ELPH 500 HS and WG-2.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can count on the Pentax WG-2 to deliver more detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The older ELPH 500 HS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography features
26
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
40
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports face detect focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Street photography highlights
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
54
weather proofing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Sports photography details
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography details
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
bad battery (180 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
38
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Travel photography information
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography information
64
supports focus via touch
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery (180 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS Landscape photography information
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography information
40
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual exposure
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery (180 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
47
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon ELPH 500 HS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Vlogging camera
37
rather wide (24mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
30
really wide (28mm)
supports face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic support
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Canon ELPH 500 HS vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon ELPH 500 HS and Pentax WG-2
 Canon ELPH 500 HSPentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon ELPH 500 HS Pentax Optio WG-2
Also called as IXUS 310 HS / IXY 31S -
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2011-02-07 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4 with iSAPS technology -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-105mm (4.4x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.0-5.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology PureColor II Touch TFT LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185g (0.41 lb) 192g (0.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 101 x 56 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 1.0") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 180 shots 260 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $175 $350