• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX30 IS advantages over Pentax WG-2

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.7 vs f/3.5
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 140 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.3 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax WG-2 advantages over Canon SX30 IS

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $430 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Thinner
    30 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    186g vs 615g
    Lighter weight
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options

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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Buy the 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.

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX100V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Wider angle lens
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Integrated ND filter
Pentax WG-2
Sony HX100V
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Pentax WG-1 GPS

Canon SX30 IS
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in 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

Compared to Canon SX40 HS

Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX40 HS
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
Pentax WG-2
Canon SX40 HS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax WG-2 GPS

Canon SX30 IS
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Larger lens aperture
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS
Pentax WG-2
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Sony HX200V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX200V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Wider angle lens
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Longer stills battery life
Pentax WG-2
Sony HX200V
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Compare Other Cameras?