Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980
90 Imaging
40 Features
43 Overall
41
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94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(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
- 238g - 125 x 64 x 33mm
- Revealed July 2013
(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
- Announced February 2009
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Overview
On this page, we are matching up the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony S980, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the WG-3 GPS (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").
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The WG-3 GPS was released 4 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the WG-3 GPS matches up vs the S980 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax WG-3 GPS & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The complete galleries are available at Pentax WG-3 GPS Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony S980
WG-3 GPS | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 54 months |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax WG-3 GPS
S980 | WG-3 GPS |
---|
Common features in the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony S980
WG-3 GPS | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax WG-3 GPS offers outside measurements of 125mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the WG-3 GPS compared to the S980.
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Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 GPS and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements only by checking out specifications. The photograph here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the WG-3 GPS and S980.
Plainly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax WG-3 GPS to produce more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more modern WG-3 GPS provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Specifications
Pentax WG-3 GPS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax WG-3 GPS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Revealed | 2013-07-19 | 2009-02-17 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | 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 | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 10cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.40 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB 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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 238g (0.52 lb) | 167g (0.37 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 125 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 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 | 240 photographs | - |
Battery type | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $350 | $300 |