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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Portability
88
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX170 IS front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Key Specs

Canon SX170 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-448mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 251g - 108 x 71 x 44mm
  • Released August 2013
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX160 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
  • Announced February 2012
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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by companies Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX170 IS (16MP) and the WG-2 GPS (16MP) is fairly well matched and they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX170 IS was manufactured 19 months after the WG-2 GPS making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SX170 IS scores against the WG-2 GPS for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX170 IS over the Pentax WG-2 GPS

 SX170 IS WG-2 GPS 
AnnouncedAugust 2013February 2012Newer by 19 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 GPS over the Canon SX170 IS

 WG-2 GPS SX170 IS 
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX170 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS

 SX170 IS WG-2 GPS 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX170 IS features outer measurements of 108mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 251 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 GPS has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

Analyze the Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SX170 IS vs the WG-2 GPS.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX170 IS and WG-2 GPS is 88 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The pic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SX170 IS and WG-2 GPS.

As you can see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP so you can expect similar quality of photos however you should really take the launch date of the products into consideration. The fresher SX170 IS is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX170 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
43
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
40
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Street photography advice
Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography advice
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (251g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
54
weather proofing
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Sports photography information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Sports photography information
48
great zoom range (28-448mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
38
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
weather proofing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography advice
68
lighter than others (251g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (448mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
70
weather proofing
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Landscape photography features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Landscape photography features
49
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
47
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
decent MP (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX170 IS Vlogging features
Pentax WG-2 GPS Vlogging features
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than others (251 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
30
rather wide (28mm)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic support
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Canon SX170 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX170 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Canon PowerShot SX170 ISPentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2013-08-22 2012-02-07
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-448mm (16.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/3200s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 5.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 251 gr (0.55 lb) 198 gr (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 71 x 44mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.7") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 300 pictures 260 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NB-6LH D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $0 $300