Clicky

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
35
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS 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
  • Revealed January 2013
Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 198g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Revealed February 2012
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Pentax. The image resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the WG-2 GPS (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The A3500 IS was released 12 months after the WG-2 GPS so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the A3500 IS matches up against the WG-2 GPS with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 A3500 IS WG-2 GPS 
RevealedJanuary 2013February 2012More modern by 12 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Canon A3500 IS

 WG-2 GPS A3500 IS 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 A3500 IS WG-2 GPS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon A3500 IS enjoys physical dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 GPS has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

See the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the A3500 IS vs the WG-2 GPS.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the A3500 IS and WG-2 GPS is 96 and 91 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The pic here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the A3500 IS and WG-2 GPS.

As you have seen, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you really should factor the release date of the cameras into account. The fresher A3500 IS is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Portrait photography information
35
good resolution (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
40
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon A3500 IS
Street photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus via touch
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
54
environment sealing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3500 IS
Sports photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 shots)
lack of phase detect AF
38
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no 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 factors
Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography factors
68
lighter than competition in class (135g)
has focus via touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery (200 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
70
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography advice
42
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
47
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A3500 IS
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2 GPS
34
quite wide (28mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (135 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
30
pretty wide (28mm)
comes with face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have external mic support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISPentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2013-01-07 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 alias 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
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, 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 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135g (0.30 lbs) 198g (0.44 lbs)
Physical 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 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 200 shots 260 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-11L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $115 $300