• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 37.00mm - 185.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD970 IS advantages over Pentax WG-3 GPS

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More telephoto lens reach
    185 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 60 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax WG-3 GPS advantages over Canon SD970 IS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.2
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.40 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • 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
    25 mm vs 37 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.5 fps vs 1.0 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 3200 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Canon SD970 IS

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Buy the Pentax WG-3 GPS
Pentax WG-3 GPS
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Review Excerpt

  • Eye-catching, aggressive styling; Digital Microscope mode with 6 LED ring light; Improved ruggedness; Front-panel monochrome LCD readout; Can power up via inductive charging.

  • Struggles in low-light situations despite bright f/2 max lens aperture; So-so image and video quality; User interface has steep learning curve; Poor battery life.

  • Read our Pentax WG-3 GPS Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD890 IS

Canon SD970 IS
Canon SD890 IS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Canon SD890 IS

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Canon SD890 IS
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Canon SD890 IS

Compared to Panasonic DMC-TS1

Canon SD970 IS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • More dots on screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Wider angle lens
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Panasonic DMC-TS1
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Panasonic DMC-TS1

Compared to Sony DSC-W290

Canon SD970 IS
Sony DSC-W290
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Sony DSC-W290

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sony DSC-W290
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony DSC-W290

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Canon SD970 IS
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Compared to Ricoh WG-4

Canon SD970 IS
Ricoh WG-4
  • $170
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Canon SD970 IS vs Ricoh WG-4

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Ricoh WG-4
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Slow-motion videos

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Ricoh WG-4

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