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Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
44
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Canon SX260 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 231g - 106 x 61 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Older Model is Canon SX240 HS
  • Renewed by Canon SX270 HS
Pentax WG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2013
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Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the SX260 HS (12MP) and WG-3 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SX260 HS was revealed 13 months prior to the WG-3 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SX260 HS grades against the WG-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX260 HS over the Pentax WG-3

 SX260 HS WG-3 
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Canon SX260 HS

 WG-3 SX260 HS 
IntroducedJuly 2013June 2012More modern by 13 months

Common features in the Canon SX260 HS and Pentax WG-3

 SX260 HS WG-3 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX260 HS offers outer measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 231 grams (0.51 lbs) while 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).

Examine the Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SX260 HS versus the WG-3.

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX260 HS and WG-3 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading through technical specs. The pic underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SX260 HS and WG-3.

As you can tell, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax WG-3 to give extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged SX260 HS is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX260 HS
Portrait photography with Pentax WG-3
37
focusing manually
provides face detect autofocus
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
41
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX260 HS
Street photography with Pentax WG-3
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (231g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX260 HS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-3 as a Sports photography camera
36
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
45
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (240 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than average in class (231 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (230 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
72
weather proofing
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
bad battery power (240 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Landscape photography factors
Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography factors
41
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery life (230 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
54
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery power (240 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX260 HS Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-3 Vlogging advice
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (231 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic support
36
fairly wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
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Canon SX260 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX260 HS and Pentax WG-3
 Canon PowerShot SX260 HSPentax WG-3
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Pentax WG-3
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Revealed 2012-06-04 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology PureColor II TFT 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 2.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.50 m 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 240 (240 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 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 BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 231 grams (0.51 pounds) 230 grams (0.51 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
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 230 pictures 240 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack 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/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at launch $349 $300