Clicky

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
24
Overall
30
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
Portability
91
Imaging
38
Features
37
Overall
37

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Key Specs

Canon SD970 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 37-185mm (F3.2-5.7) lens
  • 160g - 96 x 57 x 26mm
  • Revealed February 2009
  • Other Name is Digital IXUS 990 IS
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
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and WG-2 GPS (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The SD970 IS was announced 4 years earlier than the WG-2 GPS and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SD970 IS scores vs the WG-2 GPS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 SD970 IS WG-2 GPS 
Display resolution461k460kSharper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Canon SD970 IS

 WG-2 GPS SD970 IS 
RevealedFebruary 2012February 2009More recent by 36 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 SD970 IS WG-2 GPS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS provides external measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 GPS has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

See the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the SD970 IS and the WG-2 GPS.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SD970 IS and WG-2 GPS is 94 and 91 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reading a spec sheet. The visual here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SD970 IS and WG-2 GPS.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax WG-2 GPS to offer extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos far more aggressively. The older SD970 IS is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Portrait photography camera
26
features face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
39
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera

Street Comparison

Canon SD970 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-2 GPS as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
54
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Sports photography factors
Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography factors
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
37
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Travel photography information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography information
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
70
weather sealing
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD970 IS Landscape photography features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography features
32
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
manual mode not available
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
47
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
MP count good (16MP)
weather sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SD970 IS
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2 GPS
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
wide angle not the best (37mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone port
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Canon PowerShot SD970 ISPentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SD970 IS Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Otherwise known as Digital IXUS 990 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2009-02-18 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 37-185mm (5.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.2-5.7 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 2cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 160 grams (0.35 lb) 198 grams (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 - 260 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-5L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch - $300