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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot A3100 IS front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Canon A3100 IS
(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
Pentax WG-1
(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
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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").

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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.

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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 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011January 2010More 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 typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kEqual 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-1 Portrait photography features
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
35
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Street photography information
Pentax WG-1 Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Sports photography information
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography information
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
37
good MP (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Travel photography details
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
71
weather sealing
good MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3100 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
42
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
good MP (14MP)
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3100 IS Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging factors
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
25
fairly wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
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Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3100 IS and Pentax WG-1
 Canon PowerShot A3100 ISPentax 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