Pentax WG-3 vs Sony S980
90 Imaging
40 Features
44 Overall
41
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94 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony S980 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
- Released July 2013
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- 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-3 vs Sony S980 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Pentax WG-3 and Sony S980, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the WG-3 (16MP) and S980 (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").
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The WG-3 was unveiled 4 years later than the S980 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the WG-3 scores against the S980 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony S980 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax WG-3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax WG-3 Gallery & Sony S980 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Sony S980
WG-3 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | July 2013 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 54 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax WG-3
S980 | WG-3 |
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Common features in the Pentax WG-3 and Sony S980
WG-3 | S980 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Pentax WG-3 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WG-3 enjoys external measurements of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Sony S980 has dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax WG-3 and Sony S980 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the WG-3 versus the S980.
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Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the WG-3 and S980 is 90 and 94 respectively.
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Pentax WG-3 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is hard to visualize the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through specs. The graphic here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-3 and S980.
All in all, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax WG-3 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer WG-3 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.
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Pentax WG-3 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 vs Sony S980 Specifications
Pentax WG-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax WG-3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 |
Category | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2013-07-19 | 2009-02-17 |
Body design | 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 aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/3.3-5.2 |
Macro focus range | 1cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 3.40 m | 3.50 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 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 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 230 gr (0.51 lbs) | 167 gr (0.37 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 124 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 All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 240 photographs | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | D-LI92 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Launch price | $300 | $300 |