Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1
94 Imaging
35 Features
14 Overall
26


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
- 165g - 97 x 58 x 28mm
- Launched January 2010
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Announced February 2011

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Overview
Below, we will be evaluating the Canon A3100 IS versus Pentax WG-1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the A3100 IS (12MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The A3100 IS was unveiled 13 months prior to the WG-1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before we go in to a full comparison, below is a brief summary of how the A3100 IS grades against the WG-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A3100 IS & Pentax Optio WG-1. The full galleries are provided at Canon A3100 IS Gallery & Pentax WG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3100 IS over the Pentax WG-1
A3100 IS | WG-1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Canon A3100 IS
WG-1 | A3100 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2011 | ![]() | January 2010 | More recent by 13 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus |
Common features in the Canon A3100 IS and Pentax WG-1
A3100 IS | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.7" | Identical screen sizing |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Equal screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Canon A3100 IS comes with physical measurements of 97mm x 58mm x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
See the Canon A3100 IS versus Pentax WG-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the A3100 IS and the WG-1.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A3100 IS and WG-1 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements purely by looking at a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the A3100 IS and WG-1.
Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Pentax WG-1 to give you more detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older A3100 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Pentax Optio WG-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot A3100 IS | Pentax Optio WG-1 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Launched | 2010-01-05 | 2011-02-07 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
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 | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4288 x 3216 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.7-5.6 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 165 gr (0.36 pounds) | 157 gr (0.35 pounds) |
Dimensions | 97 x 58 x 28mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 260 pictures |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | NB-8L | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $159 | $350 |