• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon SD980 IS advantages over Ricoh WG-30w

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.8 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 30 mm
    Thinner
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Ricoh WG-30w advantages over Canon SD980 IS

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More telephoto lens reach
    140 mm vs 120 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 300 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Newer
    10 years vs 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.1 fps vs 0.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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
  • 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 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

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Buy the Ricoh WG-30w
Ricoh WG-30W (Orange)
  • Ricoh WG-30W (Orange)
  • Ricoh WG-30W (Carbon Gray)

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Faster shutter
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Ricoh WG-30w
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Canon SD980 IS
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Ricoh WG-30w
Panasonic DMC-FX580S
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $303
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Panasonic DMC-FX580S

Compared to Canon SD3500 IS

Canon SD980 IS
Canon SD3500 IS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Canon SD3500 IS

Ricoh WG-30w
Canon SD3500 IS
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Thinner

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Canon SD3500 IS

Compared to Pentax WG-2 GPS

Canon SD980 IS
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Ricoh WG-30w
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More dots on screen

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Pentax WG-2 GPS

Compared to Olympus TG-870

Canon SD980 IS
Olympus TG-870
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SD980 IS vs Olympus TG-870

Ricoh WG-30w
Olympus TG-870
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Ricoh WG-30w vs Olympus TG-870

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