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Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
17
Overall
26
Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Canon SD1200 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-105mm (F2.8-4.9) lens
  • 160g - 86 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 95 IS
Pentax WG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Released July 2013
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Canon SD1200 IS and Pentax WG-3, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the SD1200 IS (10MP) and WG-3 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SD1200 IS was launched 5 years prior to the WG-3 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SD1200 IS scores against the WG-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD1200 IS over the Pentax WG-3

 SD1200 IS WG-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Canon SD1200 IS

 WG-3 SD1200 IS 
ReleasedJuly 2013February 2009More recent by 53 months
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD1200 IS and Pentax WG-3

 SD1200 IS WG-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Canon SD1200 IS enjoys physical measurements of 86mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-3 has measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Look at the Canon SD1200 IS and Pentax WG-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the SD1200 IS versus the WG-3.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SD1200 IS and WG-3 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements just by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1200 IS and WG-3.

Clearly, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should expect the Pentax WG-3 to give you extra detail utilizing its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older SD1200 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography info
25
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
no external flash support
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
41
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detect focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Street photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Sports photography info
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography info
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (240 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Travel photography with Pentax WG-3
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
72
environment proofing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery life (240 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SD1200 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-3
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no manual mode
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
54
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
not so great battery life (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD1200 IS Vlogging highlights
Pentax WG-3 Vlogging highlights
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
36
relatively wide (25mm)
good max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
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Canon SD1200 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD1200 IS and Pentax WG-3
 Canon PowerShot SD1200 ISPentax WG-3
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Pentax WG-3
Also called Digital IXUS 95 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2009-02-18 2013-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-105mm (3.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-4.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (tunnel) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 pounds) 230 grams (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 86 x 55 x 22mm (3.4" x 2.2" x 0.9") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 260 shots 240 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $250 $300