• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon XS advantages over Pentax WG-3 GPS

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.71 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.9 fps vs 1.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax WG-3 GPS advantages over Canon XS

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 61 mm
    Thinner
  • 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 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    60 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Canon XS

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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 Pentax K200D

Canon XS
Pentax K200D
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Pentax K200D

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Pentax K200D
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Sony DSLR-A230

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Nikon D3000

Canon XS
Nikon D3000
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Nikon D3000

Pentax WG-3 GPS
Nikon D3000
  • $229
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Pentax WG-3 GPS vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Ricoh WG-4 GPS

Canon XS
Ricoh WG-4 GPS
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Canon XS 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 XS
Ricoh WG-4
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Canon XS 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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