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Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
80
Imaging
40
Features
40
Overall
40
Canon PowerShot SX500 IS front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Renewed by Canon SX510 HS
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
Photography Glossary

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

Let's look closer at the Canon SX500 IS and Pentax WG-2, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the WG-2 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SX500 IS was brought out 7 months later than the WG-2 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the SX500 IS scores vs the WG-2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Pentax WG-2

 SX500 IS WG-2 
IntroducedAugust 2012February 2012Fresher by 7 months
Screen resolution461k460kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Canon SX500 IS

 WG-2 SX500 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Pentax WG-2

 SX500 IS WG-2 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon SX500 IS features physical dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-2 has proportions of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

See the Canon SX500 IS and Pentax WG-2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX500 IS against the WG-2.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SX500 IS and WG-2 is 80 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by seeing technical specs. The graphic underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX500 IS and WG-2.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of pictures however you should always take the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher SX500 IS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Portrait photography camera
46
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/1,600s)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
40
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-2 Street photography highlights
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
54
weather proof
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Sports photography camera
45
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (195 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
38
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography info
Pentax WG-2 Travel photography info
60
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (195 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
70
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX500 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WG-2 as a Landscape photography camera
46
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
not so great battery life (195 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
47
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Vlogging details
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging details
28
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic port
30
fairly wide (28mm)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
does not have external mic jack
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Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Pentax WG-2
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISPentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Pentax Optio WG-2
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2012-08-21 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens support 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
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 461k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/1600 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 341 gr (0.75 lbs) 192 gr (0.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
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 195 shots 260 shots
Battery format 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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $299 $350