Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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
(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
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone 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").
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe 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 Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Optio WG-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax WG-1 Gallery and Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony S980
| WG-1 | S980 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | February 2011 | February 2009 | More 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 type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display dimensions | 2.7" | 2.7" | Equal display dimensions | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 230k | Same 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideStreet Comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesSports Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banTravel Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesLandscape Comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoVlogging Comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony S980 Specifications
| Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony 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 |