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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Launched August 2009
Pentax WS80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.8-4.7) lens
  • 125g - 92 x 60 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2009
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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax WS80, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SX120 IS (10MP) and the WS80 (10MP) is relatively close but the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and WS80 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizes.

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The SX120 IS was revealed at a similar time to the WS80 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SX120 IS matches up vs the WS80 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Pentax WS80

 SX120 IS WS80 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Canon SX120 IS

 WS80 SX120 IS 

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax WS80

 SX120 IS WS80 
LaunchedAugust 2009August 2009Same age
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Canon SX120 IS provides external measurements of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") and a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has specifications of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax WS80 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SX120 IS and the WS80.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SX120 IS and WS80 is 87 and 95 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to imagine the difference in sensor measurements purely by viewing technical specs. The visual here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SX120 IS and WS80.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature the identical MP albeit different sensor measurements. The SX120 IS comes with the smaller sensor which should make obtaining bokeh more difficult.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography advice
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography advice
33
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/500 seconds)
cannot use external flash
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
no RAW format
26
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Street photography information
Pentax WS80 Street photography information
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.5")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition (285g)
59
environment sealing
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Sports photography advice
Pentax WS80 Sports photography advice
26
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
no phase detect auto focus
23
environment sealing
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon SX120 IS
Travel photography with Pentax WS80
51
flash built-in
very long zoom (360mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (285 grams)
low resolution (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
environment sealing
built-in flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
36
you can focus manually
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
31
focusing manually
environment sealing
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Vlogging factors
Pentax WS80 Vlogging factors
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (285g)
25
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Pentax WS80
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISPentax Optio WS80
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Pentax Optio WS80
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Launched 2009-08-19 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/500 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285 grams (0.63 lb) 125 grams (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 2 x AA D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $249 $220