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Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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
  • Introduced February 2009
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Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980 Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Pentax WG-2 versus Sony S980, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the WG-2 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The WG-2 was launched 3 years later than the S980 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the WG-2 grades vs the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Sony S980

 WG-2 S980 
IntroducedFebruary 2012February 2009Fresher by 37 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax WG-2

 S980 WG-2 

Common features in the Pentax WG-2 and Sony S980

 WG-2 S980 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-2 offers exterior measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs) while the Sony S980 has measurements of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax WG-2 versus Sony S980 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the WG-2 against the S980.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-2 and S980 is 91 and 94 respectively.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic here may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-2 and S980.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-2 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The newer WG-2 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography information
Sony S980 Portrait photography information
40
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features face detect focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
you can focus manually
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Street photography features
Sony S980 Street photography features
54
weather proof
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax WG-2
Sports photography with Sony S980
38
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
weather proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
17
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-2 Travel photography advice
Sony S980 Travel photography advice
70
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WG-2
Landscape photography with Sony S980
47
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proof
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
you can focus manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony S980 as a Vlogging camera
30
quite wide (28mm)
features face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic port
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone jack
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Pentax WG-2 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-2 and Sony S980
 Pentax Optio WG-2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio WG-2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Category Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-07 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
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 range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.40 m 3.50 m
Flash options 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 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 192g (0.42 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") 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 photographs -
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 card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $350 $300