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Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
43
Overall
38
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS front
 
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Key Specs

Canon SX280 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.5-6.8) lens
  • 233g - 106 x 63 x 33mm
  • Launched March 2013
  • Previous Model is Canon SX270 HS
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
  • Launched July 2013
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Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the SX280 HS (12MP) and WG-3 GPS (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX280 HS was launched 4 months prior to the WG-3 GPS so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SX280 HS scores versus the WG-3 GPS with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX280 HS over the Pentax WG-3 GPS

 SX280 HS WG-3 GPS 
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Canon SX280 HS

 WG-3 GPS SX280 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX280 HS and Pentax WG-3 GPS

 SX280 HS WG-3 GPS 
LaunchedMarch 2013July 2013Similar generation
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX280 HS has external measurements of 106mm x 63mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 233 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Pentax WG-3 GPS has dimensions of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the SX280 HS against the WG-3 GPS.

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX280 HS and WG-3 GPS is 91 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS top view buttons comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by going over technical specs. The picture underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SX280 HS and WG-3 GPS.

As you can tell, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax WG-3 GPS to offer you more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively.

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS sensor size comparison

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Portrait photography features
Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography features
34
has manual focus
features face detection focusing
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
41
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX280 HS
Street photography with Pentax WG-3 GPS
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (233g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (238 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Sports photography features
Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography features
36
incredible zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (210 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (240 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Travel photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography highlights
61
lighter than competition in class (233g)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery (210 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
69
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
bad battery pack (240 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (238g)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography advice
41
has manual focus
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery (210 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
54
focusing manually
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery pack (240 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX280 HS Vlogging details
Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging details
34
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (233 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of external mic jack
34
really wide (25mm)
fast maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
heavier than competition in class (238g)
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Canon SX280 HS vs Pentax WG-3 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX280 HS and Pentax WG-3 GPS
 Canon PowerShot SX280 HSPentax WG-3 GPS
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX280 HS Pentax WG-3 GPS
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2013-03-21 2013-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 6 -
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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-500mm (20.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.8 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/3200 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 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 MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 233 grams (0.51 lb) 238 grams (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 63 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.5" x 1.3") 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 210 photos 240 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6L D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $325 $350