• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon A3100 IS advantages over Pentax WG-2

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Pentax WG-2 advantages over Canon A3100 IS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    28 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.0 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Canon A3100 IS

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Buy the Pentax WG-2
Pentax WG-2

Review Excerpt

  • Aggressive, sculpted armor design screams adventure; Shooting is easy and fun, producing good image quality; No-slip surfaces make camera easy to hold; LCD works well in bright sunlight; Unique Macro and Digital Microscope modes.

  • Difficult to view LCD screen underwater; Poor button layout; No optical or sensor-shift image stabilization; No high-speed full-resolution burst mode.

  • Read our Pentax WG-2 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon A1100 IS

Canon A3100 IS
Canon A1100 IS
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A1100 IS

Pentax WG-2
Canon A1100 IS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Manual focus
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Canon A1100 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FH1

Canon A3100 IS
Panasonic DMC-FH1
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FH1

Pentax WG-2
Panasonic DMC-FH1
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • HDMI out
  • $160
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Panasonic DMC-FH1

Compared to Canon A3000 IS

Canon A3100 IS
Canon A3000 IS
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • $108
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Canon A3000 IS

Pentax WG-2
Canon A3000 IS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Manual focus
  • $108
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Canon A3000 IS

Compared to Pentax WG-1 GPS

Canon A3100 IS
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Pentax WG-2
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Compared to Pentax WG-2 GPS

Canon A3100 IS
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $85
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon A3100 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Pentax WG-2
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax WG-2 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

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