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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980

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

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Pentax WG-1
(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
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced February 2011
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Launched February 2009
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Pentax WG-1 and Sony S980, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the WG-1 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The WG-1 was introduced 24 months after the S980 making them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a concise summary of how the WG-1 scores against the S980 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony S980

 WG-1 S980 
LaunchedFebruary 2011February 2009More modern by 24 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax WG-1

 S980 WG-1 

Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Sony S980

 WG-1 S980 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax WG-1 has outer measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check out the Pentax WG-1 and Sony S980 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the WG-1 vs the S980.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the WG-1 and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be hard to see the difference in sensor sizes just by going through specifications. The picture below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-1 and S980.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-1 to provide greater detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively. The newer WG-1 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S980 as a Portrait photography camera
35
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax WG-1
Street photography with Sony S980
54
weather proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
37
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
17
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Travel photography features
Sony S980 Travel photography features
71
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
51
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
42
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
weather proof
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Vlogging highlights
Sony S980 Vlogging highlights
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone socket
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
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Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 and Sony S980
 Pentax Optio WG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio WG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-02-07 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
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 157g (0.35 lb) 167g (0.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 260 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $350 $300