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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Pentax WG-1 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Revealed August 2011
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Released February 2009
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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Pentax WG-1 GPS and Sony S980, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WG-1 GPS (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is pretty similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-1 GPS was launched 2 years after the S980 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the WG-1 GPS matches up versus the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Sony S980

 WG-1 GPS S980 
ReleasedAugust 2011February 2009More modern by 31 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 S980 WG-1 GPS 

Common features in the Pentax WG-1 GPS and Sony S980

 WG-1 GPS S980 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-1 GPS features outer dimensions of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Examine the Pentax WG-1 GPS and Sony S980 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the WG-1 GPS against the S980.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the WG-1 GPS and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes just by going over a spec sheet. The pic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the WG-1 GPS and S980.

Clearly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can expect the Pentax WG-1 GPS to deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent WG-1 GPS provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography factors
Sony S980 Portrait photography factors
35
you can focus manually
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography advice
Sony S980 Street photography advice
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography features
Sony S980 Sports photography features
37
MP count decent (14MP)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography features
Sony S980 Travel photography features
71
environment sealing
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
42
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
MP count decent (14MP)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
27
manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging features
Sony S980 Vlogging features
25
pretty wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic support
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
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Pentax WG-1 GPS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 GPS and Sony S980
 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPSSony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-08-16 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing distance 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 2 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 167 gr (0.37 lb) 167 gr (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 260 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $350 $300