Clicky

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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
  • Introduced February 2011
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The A3500 IS was unveiled 24 months later than the WG-1 which makes them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the A3500 IS grades versus the WG-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

        

Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Pentax WG-1

 A3500 IS WG-1 
IntroducedJanuary 2013February 2011More recent by 24 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Canon A3500 IS

 WG-1 A3500 IS 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-1

 A3500 IS WG-1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon A3500 IS comes with outside dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) while 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).

Contrast the Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the A3500 IS and the WG-1.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and WG-1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by reading through technical specs. The visual here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A3500 IS and WG-1.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You should count on the Canon A3500 IS to give extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The more modern A3500 IS provides an edge in sensor technology.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon A3500 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
34
resolution is good (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
35
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 Street photography highlights
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus by touch
lighter than competitors (135 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
environment proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography features
Pentax WG-1 Sports photography features
38
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
37
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography features
Pentax WG-1 Travel photography features
68
lighter than competitors (135g)
boasts focus by touch
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
bad battery (200 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
71
environment proof
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3500 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-1
41
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery (200 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
42
you can focus manually
really wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14MP)
environment proof
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Vlogging features
Pentax WG-1 Vlogging features
34
quite wide (28mm)
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (135g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic socket
25
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-1
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISPentax Optio WG-1
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Pentax Optio WG-1
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2013-01-07 2011-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135 gr (0.30 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 200 photos 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-11L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $115 $350