Clicky

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Pentax WG-3 GPS front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Key Specs

Pentax WG-3 GPS
(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
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
  • Announced February 2009
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

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").

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

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.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 GPS over the Sony S980

 WG-3 GPS S980 
AnnouncedJuly 2013February 2009More recent by 54 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-3 GPS and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

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.

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Portrait photography information
Sony S980 Portrait photography information
41
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
provides face detection autofocus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
27
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Street Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Street photography details
Sony S980 Street photography details
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
heavier than others (238 grams)
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Sports photography advice
Sony S980 Sports photography advice
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (240 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
17
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Travel photography factors
Sony S980 Travel photography factors
69
environment sealing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery pack (240 per charge)
heavier than others (238 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Landscape photography features
Sony S980 Landscape photography features
54
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
terrible battery pack (240 CIPA)
27
you can focus manually
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-3 GPS Vlogging features
Sony S980 Vlogging features
34
relatively wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
missing external mic support
heavier than others (238 grams)
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-3 GPS and Sony S980
 Pentax WG-3 GPSSony 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