Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2
96 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
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91 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
- 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
- Released January 2013
(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
- Launched February 2012

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Overview
Following is a extended analysis of the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-2, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The A3500 IS was manufactured 12 months after the WG-2 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the A3500 IS scores versus the WG-2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Canon PowerShot A3500 IS and Pentax Optio WG-2. The entire galleries are provided at Canon A3500 IS Gallery and Pentax WG-2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Pentax WG-2
A3500 IS | WG-2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2013 | ![]() | February 2012 | More modern by 12 months |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Canon A3500 IS
WG-2 | A3500 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-2
A3500 IS | WG-2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen |
Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison
If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Canon A3500 IS features physical measurements 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-2 has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).
Take a look at the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the A3500 IS and the WG-2.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and WG-2 is 96 and 91 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes simply by looking at technical specs. The image below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the A3500 IS and WG-2.
As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution so you should expect similar quality of images however you have to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The younger A3500 IS will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Pentax Optio WG-2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot A3500 IS | Pentax Optio WG-2 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Released | 2013-01-07 | 2012-02-07 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | DIGIC 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
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 | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-6.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display technology | - | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.00 m | 5.40 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 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 | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 135 grams (0.30 lb) | 192 grams (0.42 lb) |
Dimensions | 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 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 | 200 shots | 260 shots |
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 | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $115 | $350 |