• APS-C 332.3mm2
  • 18.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon T3i advantages over Pentax WG-2

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
    ~ 4.30 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
    ~1.50 vs 2.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 440 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.28 vs 0.44 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • 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
    3.6 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax WG-2 advantages over Canon T3i

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $600 (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
  • Thinner
    30 mm vs 79 mm
    Thinner

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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Good grip; Full HD video recording; Swiveling LCD; Very fast autofocus; HDMI output.

  • Slow frame rate for sports shooting; Tendency to overexpose in bright sunlight; Live View AF is slow; No microfocus adjustment.

  • 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 Nikon D7000

Canon T3i
Nikon D7000
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup
Pentax WG-2
Nikon D7000
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax K-5

Canon T3i
Pentax K-5
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax WG-2
Pentax K-5
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax WG-1 GPS

Canon T3i
Pentax WG-1 GPS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
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 Pentax WG-2 GPS

Canon T3i
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Pentax WG-2
Pentax WG-2 GPS
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Canon T4i

Canon T3i
Canon T4i
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Pentax WG-2
Canon T4i
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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