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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
43
Overall
40

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(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
  • Revealed January 2013
Pentax WG-3 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2013
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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Canon A3500 IS versus Pentax WG-3 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by brands Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the WG-3 GPS (16MP) is fairly similar and they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was unveiled 6 months prior to the WG-3 GPS and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the A3500 IS scores versus the WG-3 GPS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 A3500 IS WG-3 GPS 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Canon A3500 IS

 WG-3 GPS A3500 IS 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-3 GPS

 A3500 IS WG-3 GPS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013July 2013Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Canon A3500 IS enjoys exterior measurements of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax WG-3 GPS has sizing of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Canon A3500 IS versus Pentax WG-3 GPS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the A3500 IS against the WG-3 GPS.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and WG-3 GPS is 96 and 90 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The picture below will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the A3500 IS and WG-3 GPS.

As you have seen, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels and you should expect similar quality of pictures although you should always take the production date of the products into consideration.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography highlights
34
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
40
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts touch to focus
lighter than average (135g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
58
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
more heavy than competition in class (238 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography advice
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 per charge)
no phase detect AF
44
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (240 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than average (135 grams)
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery (200 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
environment proofing
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
low battery power (240 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (238 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A3500 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
41
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery (200 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
53
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery power (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Vlogging factors
Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging factors
34
relatively wide (28mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than average (135g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
34
relatively wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competition in class (238g)
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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Pentax WG-3 GPS
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISPentax WG-3 GPS
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Pentax WG-3 GPS
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2013-01-07 2013-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip DIGIC 4 -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.40 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
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 135 gr (0.30 pounds) 238 gr (0.52 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 200 photos 240 photos
Type 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 shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $115 $350