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Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

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

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Key Specs

Canon SX500 IS
(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
  • Launched August 2012
  • Later Model is Canon SX510 HS
Pentax WG-2 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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 SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the WG-2 GPS (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SX500 IS grades vs the WG-2 GPS when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

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

 SX500 IS WG-2 GPS 
AnnouncedAugust 2012February 2012More recent by 7 months
Screen resolution461k460kClearer screen (+1k dot)

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

 WG-2 GPS SX500 IS 

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

 SX500 IS WG-2 GPS 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS has got exterior measurements of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 GPS has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 198 grams (0.44 lbs).

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

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SX500 IS versus the WG-2 GPS.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and WG-2 GPS is 80 and 91 respectively.

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

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements purely by checking specifications. The graphic below might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SX500 IS and WG-2 GPS.

Plainly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photos although you really should consider the launch date of the products into consideration. The more modern SX500 IS should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS sensor size comparison

Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography information
Pentax WG-2 GPS Portrait photography information
46
focusing manually
great flash sync speed (1/1,600 seconds)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
40
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has face detection focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Street photography factors
Pentax WG-2 GPS Street photography factors
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
54
environment sealing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX500 IS
Sports photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
45
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (195 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
38
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX500 IS Travel photography factors
Pentax WG-2 GPS Travel photography factors
60
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (195 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
70
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon SX500 IS
Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2 GPS
46
focusing manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
low battery pack (195 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
47
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Pentax WG-2 GPS
28
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
30
rather wide (28mm)
has face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
no external mic port
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Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX500 IS and Pentax WG-2 GPS
 Canon PowerShot SX500 ISPentax Optio WG-2 GPS
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX500 IS Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2012-08-21 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 1 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/1600s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 341 gr (0.75 lb) 198 gr (0.44 lb)
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 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 195 photos 260 photos
Battery form 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 recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $299 $300