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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD980 IS front
 
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS 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
  • Launched August 2009
  • Additionally Known as Digital IXUS 200 IS
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 SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview

The following is a extensive assessment of the Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the SD980 IS (12MP) and WG-3 GPS (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SD980 IS was announced 4 years prior to the WG-3 GPS which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SD980 IS matches up vs the WG-3 GPS with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 SD980 IS WG-3 GPS 
Touch display Easily navigate

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

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

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

 SD980 IS WG-3 GPS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SD980 IS offers exterior dimensions of 100mm x 53mm x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Pentax WG-3 GPS has proportions of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SD980 IS compared to the WG-3 GPS.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SD980 IS and WG-3 GPS is 95 and 90 respectively.

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

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions simply by seeing technical specs. The image here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SD980 IS and WG-3 GPS.

As you have seen, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different resolution. You can anticipate the Pentax WG-3 GPS to show extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged SD980 IS will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS sensor size comparison

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS 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 GPS
20
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
41
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
59
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competition (238g)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Sports photography camera
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (240 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD980 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WG-3 GPS as a Travel photography camera
58
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
69
environment proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
low battery life (240 shots)
heavier than competition (238 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography factors
38
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
54
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
environment proofing
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
low battery life (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD980 IS Vlogging features
Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging features
30
rather wide (24mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
34
fairly wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have external mic support
heavier than competition (238g)
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Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD980 IS and Pentax WG-3 GPS
 Canon PowerShot SD980 ISPentax WG-3 GPS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD980 IS Pentax WG-3 GPS
Also called as Digital IXUS 200 IS -
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2009-08-19 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 -
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 area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias 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 format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
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 mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/3000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.50 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150g (0.33 lbs) 238g (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 100 x 53 x 23mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 240 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing - $350