Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-1
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Introduced August 2012
- Replacement is Canon SX510 HS
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Introduced February 2011

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Overview
The following is a in depth comparison of the Canon SX500 IS versus Pentax WG-1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the WG-1 (14MP) is pretty comparable and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

The SX500 IS was revealed 19 months after the WG-1 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SX500 IS scores vs the WG-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Pentax Optio WG-1. The full galleries are provided at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Pentax WG-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Pentax WG-1
SX500 IS | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2012 | ![]() | February 2011 | Newer by 19 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+231k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Canon SX500 IS
WG-1 | SX500 IS |
---|
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Pentax WG-1
SX500 IS | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to travel with your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS offers outside measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") along with a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Examine the Canon SX500 IS versus Pentax WG-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SX500 IS vs the WG-1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the SX500 IS and WG-1 is 80 and 93 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by checking out technical specs. The pic below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SX500 IS and WG-1.
As you can tell, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Canon SX500 IS to produce more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The younger SX500 IS will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-1 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Pentax Optio WG-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Pentax Optio WG-1 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Waterproof |
Introduced | 2012-08-21 | 2011-02-07 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
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 | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 1 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Screen resolution | 461 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | 1/1600s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 341g (0.75 pounds) | 157g (0.35 pounds) |
Dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
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 | 195 shots | 260 shots |
Form 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 recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $299 | $350 |