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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
28
Overall
32
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Canon SD980 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 100 x 53 x 23mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 200 IS
Pentax WG-3
(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
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Announced July 2013
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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and WG-3 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was unveiled 4 years prior to the WG-3 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SD980 IS matches up against the WG-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD980 IS over the Pentax WG-3

 SD980 IS WG-3 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Canon SD980 IS

 WG-3 SD980 IS 
AnnouncedJuly 2013August 2009Newer by 47 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD980 IS and Pentax WG-3

 SD980 IS WG-3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SD980 IS offers outer dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-3 has proportions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SD980 IS vs the WG-3.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SD980 IS and WG-3 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions purely by looking through specs. The image here may provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and WG-3.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Pentax WG-3 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged SD980 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SD980 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-3
21
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
41
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Street photography details
Pentax WG-3 Street photography details
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Sports photography info
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
45
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Travel photography camera
58
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
72
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
bad battery life (240 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Landscape photography camera
38
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
54
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging information
Pentax WG-3 Vlogging information
31
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
36
decently wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone jack
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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Pentax WG-3
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPentax WG-3
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Pentax WG-3
Also called as Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2009-08-19 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 12MP 16MP
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
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/3000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.50 m 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150g (0.33 lb) 230g (0.51 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" 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 - 240 shots
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price - $300