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Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
69
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Canon PowerShot SX530 HS front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
44
Overall
41

Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Canon SX530 HS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 442g - 120 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Replaced the Canon SX520 HS
Pentax WG-3
(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
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2013
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Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by rivals Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX530 HS (16MP) and the WG-3 (16MP) is very close and they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX530 HS was unveiled 18 months after the WG-3 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX530 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax WG-3 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the SX530 HS scores versus the WG-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Canon SX530 HS over the Pentax WG-3

 SX530 HS WG-3 
IntroducedJanuary 2015July 2013More modern by 18 months
Display resolution461k460kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Canon SX530 HS

 WG-3 SX530 HS 

Common features in the Canon SX530 HS and Pentax WG-3

 SX530 HS WG-3 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Canon SX530 HS has got outside measurements of 120mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) and the Pentax WG-3 has proportions of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Examine the Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SX530 HS versus the WG-3.

Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX530 HS and WG-3 is 69 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing specs. The image here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX530 HS and WG-3.

All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of pictures although you should really factor the production date of the cameras into account. The newer SX530 HS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX530 HS Portrait photography info
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography info
44
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
40
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX530 HS Street photography details
Pentax WG-3 Street photography details
46
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX530 HS Sports photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography advice
51
great zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (1.6 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (210 CIPA)
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (240 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX530 HS Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Travel photography advice
55
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
bad battery (210 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
72
environment sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery life (240 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX530 HS Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography advice
45
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
bad battery (210 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
53
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
environment sealing
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery life (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon SX530 HS
Vlogging with Pentax WG-3
29
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.4)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external microphone support
36
rather wide (25mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic socket
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Canon SX530 HS vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX530 HS and Pentax WG-3
 Canon PowerShot SX530 HSPentax WG-3
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX530 HS Pentax WG-3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2015-01-06 2013-07-19
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor DIGIC 4+ -
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 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 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focus distance 0cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 461k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.6 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.50 m 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, on, off, slow synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file 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 None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442 gr (0.97 lb) 230 gr (0.51 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 82 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") 124 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 photographs 240 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model NB-6LH D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $379 $300