• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 224.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax W30 advantages over Canon N

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.88 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Canon N advantages over Pentax W30

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Newer
    12 years vs 18 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 115k 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
    12.1 vs 7.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax W30

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon N
Canon N
All N Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Head-turning (funky, but cool) design and solid build; 8x optical zoom lens with 28-224m-equivalent reach; Built-in Wi-Fi for easy image sharing (Facebook Ready version posts directly to the social site); Full HD 1080p video at 24fps.

  • Unintuitive (almost clumsy) physical controls; Inconsistent exposure and decision-making in Auto mode; Image quality not that much better than good smartphone cameras; Poor battery life (just 200 shots); Only uses microSD cards; Weak LED flash.

  • Read our Canon N Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon S6500

Pentax W30
Nikon S6500
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Nikon S6500

Canon N
Nikon S6500
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon N vs Nikon S6500

Compared to Canon 330 HS

Pentax W30
Canon 330 HS
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $596
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax W30 vs Canon 330 HS

Canon N
Canon 330 HS
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $596
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon N vs Canon 330 HS

Compared to Samsung WB35F

Pentax W30
Samsung WB35F
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Samsung WB35F

Canon N
Samsung WB35F
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon N vs Samsung WB35F

Compared to Canon N2

Pentax W30
Canon N2
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax W30 vs Canon N2

Canon N
Canon N2
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $699
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Canon N vs Canon N2

Compared to Nikon S6900

Pentax W30
Nikon S6900
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Pentax W30 vs Nikon S6900

Canon N
Nikon S6900
  • $749
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $500
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon N vs Nikon S6900

Compare Other Cameras?