Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS
94 Imaging
34 Features
24 Overall
30


90 Imaging
39 Features
43 Overall
40
Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
- Additionally referred to as Digital IXUS 990 IS
(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
- Revealed July 2013

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview
Here, we are comparing the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WG-3 GPS, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the SD970 IS (12MP) and WG-3 GPS (16MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

The SD970 IS was unveiled 5 years earlier than the WG-3 GPS and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the SD970 IS grades vs the WG-3 GPS in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and Pentax WG-3 GPS. The full galleries are available at Canon SD970 IS Gallery and Pentax WG-3 GPS Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SD970 IS over the Pentax WG-3 GPS
SD970 IS | WG-3 GPS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Canon SD970 IS
WG-3 GPS | SD970 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | July 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | Fresher by 53 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus |
Common features in the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WG-3 GPS
SD970 IS | WG-3 GPS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison
If you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon SD970 IS features outside measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-3 GPS has dimensions of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).
Examine the Canon SD970 IS and Pentax WG-3 GPS in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SD970 IS vs the WG-3 GPS.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SD970 IS and WG-3 GPS is 94 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The visual here may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD970 IS and WG-3 GPS.
All in all, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-3 GPS to produce more detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older SD970 IS will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD970 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Pentax WG-3 GPS | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot SD970 IS | Pentax WG-3 GPS |
Otherwise known as | Digital IXUS 990 IS | - |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Waterproof |
Revealed | 2009-02-18 | 2013-07-19 |
Physical type | 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 | 12 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 125 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 37-185mm (5.0x) | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.2-5.7 | f/2.0-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 2cm | 1cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | - | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per sec | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 3.50 m | 3.40 m |
Flash settings | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure 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) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 160 grams (0.35 lbs) | 238 grams (0.52 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 96 x 57 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 1.0") | 125 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 | - | 240 images |
Style 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 |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | - | $350 |