Nikon P7700 vs Pentax P80: An Expert Comparison of Two Small-Sensor Compacts

When it comes to small-sensor compact cameras, we often face a balance between portability, versatility, and image quality. Two intriguing contenders in this category are the Nikon Coolpix P7700 and the Pentax Optio P80. Released four years apart and targeting similar enthusiast audiences, these models represent different eras of compact camera design and technology. Over my 15+ years testing cameras ranging from professional DSLRs to compact point-and-shoots, I’ve developed a hands-on lens for the subtleties that matter most in practical photography. Let’s walk through a detailed and candid comparison that pulls no punches, helping you decide if either of these cameras earns a spot in your kit.

Size, Ergonomics, and Handling: Compactness with a Purpose

First impressions count: both cameras claim compact status, but their design philosophies diverge quite noticeably.

The Nikon P7700 is a relatively chunky small-sensor fixed lens compact, weighing 392 grams and measuring 119 x 73 x 50 mm. While that sounds dense, it’s quite substantial for a small sensor camera, offering robust build quality and a reassuring heft. The camera’s shape emphasizes a comfortable grip and intuitive control layout for enthusiast shooters who want manual control without lugging around an SLR.

In contrast, the Pentax P80 is significantly smaller and lighter - just 125 grams and 102 x 59 x 25 mm - which truly earns it the “ultra-compact” moniker. Its slim profile is pocketable in a way the P7700 simply isn’t, but this comes at the cost of a more cramped grip and fewer physical controls.

This size difference directly translates to how each camera feels in the hands during real-world shooting. The Nikon’s bulk lets it house more sophisticated dials and buttons, while the Pentax favors minimalism. Consequently, the P7700 encourages active photographer engagement with physical controls for aperture, shutter, ISO, and exposure compensation, supporting instinctive changes on the fly. The P80, on the other hand, largely relies on menus and fewer control points, making it better suited for casual snapshots.

Design and Control Layout: A Tale of Two Interfaces

A closer look at the top plate of both cameras reveals their control philosophies.

The Nikon P7700 employs a traditional enthusiast-style layout – a mode dial with modes like Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual Exposure sits alongside dedicated dials for EV compensation and a front lens ring for aperture - elements reminiscent of a DSLR experience distilled into a compact body. These tactile inputs help photographers compose shots deliberately without diving into complicated menus.

On the other hand, the Pentax P80 doesn’t feature manual exposure modes or dedicated dials, reflecting its simpler, point-and-shoot heritage. Instead, the mode dial is centered on basic scene modes and auto, which shortcut the complexity for ease of use.

From a professional’s perspective, this difference is a big deal: the Nikon encourages creative control and adaptability, whereas the Pentax stays true to effortless, point-and-shoot simplicity.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Behind every image lies the sensor - and here, the technical aspects tell a crucial story.

The Nikon P7700 boasts a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor with a resolution of 12 megapixels. Its sensor size (approx 41.5 mm²) notably surpasses that of the Pentax, enabling better light gathering and potential dynamic range, important for preserving details in both highlights and shadows. The CMOS technology also supports faster readout and thus contributes to quicker autofocus and burst shooting.

The Pentax P80 features a smaller 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor (about 28 mm²), also at 12 megapixels. CCD sensors, popular in earlier compact cameras, generally offer pleasing color rendition but tend to struggle with noise at higher ISOs. The smaller sensor area means fewer photons captured per pixel, translating to more noise in low light and reduced overall detail compared to larger sensors.

Looking at DxOMark scores (albeit the Pentax wasn’t tested), Nikon’s P7700 earns an overall score of 53, with excellent color depth (21.1 bits) and dynamic range (11.7 EV). Low light performance is modest (ISO score of 191), but respectable given the sensor size and vintage. This suggests solid image quality for a compact, especially in good lighting.

Display and User Interface: Flexibility vs Simplicity

The Nikon’s 3-inch fully articulated LCD with a resolution of 921k dots offers a flexibility boon in live view shooting - particularly for unusual angles or video recording. Its articulated design makes it well suited for low or high camera positions, handy for macro, street, or even crowd-level shooting.

The Pentax settles for a fixed 2.7-inch screen with 230k dots - a significant downgrade in both size and pixel density. This renders live view framing less precise and usability in bright daylight more challenging, as the lower resolution struggles with contrast and detail.

Both models do lack touch sensitivity and electronic viewfinders, which is a drawback for photographers used to modern hybrid interfaces. However, the Nikon’s higher resolution screen and articulation add a much-needed usability edge.

Lens and Zoom Range: Versatility On The Go

Optics are fundamental when the lens is fixed.

The Nikon P7700 sports a 28-200mm (equivalent) 7.1x zoom with a bright aperture range of f/2.0 - 4.0. The wide end at f/2.0 is generous for low-light and shallow-depth-of-field portraits, meaning it’s more capable of producing clean subject separation and pleasing bokeh unlike most compacts. The long end reaching 200mm caters to telephoto needs like wildlife or distant subjects, all without swapping lenses.

Conversely, the Pentax P80 offers a more basic 28-110mm lens with f/2.6-5.8 aperture - significantly slower wide-open and lacking reach at the telephoto end. This reduces low-light flexibility and creative depth of field control, further emphasizing its snapshot rather than enthusiast DNA.

Autofocus Speed and Accuracy: Speeding through Moments

Autofocus (AF) systems in compacts are often overlooked but critically affect real-world usability.

The Nikon P7700 packs 99 contrast-detection AF points with face detection and AF tracking. Although lacking phase detection and that hybrid autofocus speed modern cameras boast, the P7700 can lock focus rapidly in moderate lighting. Its face-priority AF and tracking assist portrait and wildlife shooters managing moving subjects, with continuous shooting at 8fps handy for bursts.

The Pentax P80 uses just 9 AF points with contrast detection only, no face detection, and limited focus modes. Its AF speed isn’t blistering after many years and struggles in low light. Continuous shooting maxes out at 3fps, less ideal for action or wildlife shots.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Performance

Handling decisive moments requires good shutter speed and burst capabilities.

The Nikon P7700 has a max shutter speed of 1/4000s and continuous shooting at 8 frames per second - a respectable capability for its class and era. This facilitates shooting in bright conditions with wide apertures and capturing fleeting action.

The Pentax P80 maxes out shutter at a slower 1/1000s and sustains 3fps burst shooting. This limits action shooting flexibility, especially outdoors on sunny days when faster shutter speeds are crucial.

Video Capabilities: Recording Quality and Features

For hybrid shooters, video specs matter.

Nikon delivers Full HD (1920x1080) video at 30fps, with additional frame rates like 15fps for slow-motion and 720p up to 60fps for smoother motion. Files are recorded in MPEG-4 H.264 format, a modern codec balancing quality and file size. Importantly, the P7700 includes a microphone input, allowing external audio capture - a boon for serious vloggers or interviewers.

In contrast, the Pentax P80 tops out at 720p HD recording but only in Motion JPEG format - an older, less efficient codec leading to larger files and lower quality. No microphone input limits its video use to casual vlogging or home movies with onboard mic only.

Battery Life and Storage

The Nikon P7700 uses a proprietary EN-EL14 battery rated for 330 shots per charge. This is average for compacts with powerful zooms and articulated screens but may require spares for heavy users.

The Pentax P80’s battery life is unspecified, but anecdotal experience suggests modest endurance given its small size - likely under 200 shots. The model uses D-LI68 batteries common in Pentax compacts.

Both cameras employ single SD card slots (SD/SDHC/SDXC for Nikon; SD/SDHC and internal for Pentax), covering standard storage needs.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Neither model offers environmental sealing or rugged features. The Nikon P7700’s bulkier body offers somewhat better protection against handling abuse, but both are intended for casual to enthusiasm photography - not extreme outdoor environments.

Price and Value: Old Dogs with Different Tricks

Launched at around $500, the Nikon P7700 represented a premium compact with enthusiast-level features in 2013. Compared to the original retail price of roughly $200 for the Pentax P80 in 2009, the P7700 is the pricier investment.

Today, secondhand pricing places these around similar ranges, sometimes dramatic depending on condition and accessories.

Real-World Photography Tests and Image Samples

Field tests across various photography types helped me discern how these differences translate into actual use.

Portraits and Bokeh

The Nikon’s bright f/2 lens at 28mm equivalent and face-prioritized AF delivered well-rendered skin tones with natural bokeh, creating pleasing subject-background separation. Eye-detection wasn’t available but face-detection ensured trustworthy focus on subjects.

The Pentax’s slower aperture reduced bokeh opportunity; portraits appeared sharper throughout, which is fine for snapshots but less flattering for artistic portraits.

Landscape and Dynamic Range

Here, the Nikon’s larger sensor and wider dynamic range made a decisive difference in shadow detail retention and highlight preservation, especially in challenging sunlight. The articulated screen aided low-angle shooting of landscapes or architecture.

Pentax shots were more contrasty, with less shadow nuance, a tradeoff of its CCD sensor and older processing.

Wildlife and Sports

The Nikon’s longer zoom and faster burst made it relatively capable for casual wildlife and action sports photos, though compared to dedicated DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, both fall short.

Pentax struggled to lock focus quickly or keep pace with movement.

Street and Travel

Pentax’s small size suits discreet street photography or light travel where bulk is a concern. The Nikon’s size calls for a dedicated camera bag or neck strap, but provides creative control benefits during travel.

Macro and Night

Nikon’s 2cm macro focus and optical image stabilization allowed detailed close-up shooting handheld. The Pentax’s 10cm macro limit and absence of stabilization make it less adept in this realm.

At night and astro, the Nikon’s higher max ISO (1600 native, 6400 boosted) and bigger sensor gave usable results beyond full auto exposure modes. Pentax’s CCD sensor produced more noise and limited ISO range.

Nikon P7700 front Nikon P7700 screen back Pentax P80 front Pentax P80 screen back

Overall Performance Ratings and Genre-Specific Scores

Here’s a summary of how these cameras score across the board from my comprehensive testing:

Final Verdict: Which Camera Serves Which Photographer?

Nikon P7700: If you prioritize creative control, flexible zoom with bright apertures, better image quality, and video features, the P7700 remains a compelling choice in the compact category - especially if you can live with its somewhat bulky size and older interface. It’s best suited for enthusiasts who want a secondary compact with manual controls, budding professionals needing a travel backup, or anyone valuing image quality over extreme portability.

Pentax P80: For absolute pocket portability and casual use - think vacation snapshots or quick social photos - the Pentax P80 offers a genuinely tiny form factor at a low price. Its limited zoom, slower AF, and basic video make it an easy-to-use starter camera rather than a serious creative tool. The P80 is also better if you prize simplicity over features and want the lightest carry possible.

The Bottom Line: Balancing Age, Features, and Purpose

Both the Nikon P7700 and Pentax P80 are relics of a compact camera era before smartphones converged into the market juggernauts they are today. Yet, their differences illuminate how much the small-sensor compact category could offer depending on budget and shooting ambitions.

Having personally tested each camera over extensive field sessions, my advice leans heavily on identifying your core photography priorities. For creative flexibility, the Nikon’s design and image quality still impress. For minimal pocket cams, the Pentax suffices.

Not every camera needs to be the latest mirrorless model to have value - these two show that even small-sensor compacts can still serve particular photography needs when chosen wisely.

If you have questions about particular scenarios or want a deeper dive into specific feature tests, feel free to ask. This dog is a good boy, deserving of a second look.