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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax Optio P80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
23
Overall
30

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Announced October 2019
Pentax P80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.6-5.8) lens
  • 125g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Revealed August 2009
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Nikon Z50 versus Pentax P80, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and P80 (12MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and P80 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

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The Z50 was unveiled 10 years later than the P80 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax P80 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple overview of how the Z50 scores versus the P80 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax P80

 Z50 P80 
RevealedOctober 2019August 2009Fresher by 124 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax P80 over the Nikon Z50

 P80 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax P80

 Z50 P80 
Focus manually More precise focus

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z50 has got outside measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Pentax P80 has dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z50 versus Pentax P80 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the Z50 against the P80.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and P80 is 74 and 95 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizing just by viewing technical specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the Z50 and P80.

As you have seen, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Z50 using its larger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF less difficult and the Nikon Z50 will result in more detail having an extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more modern Z50 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography details
Pentax P80 Portrait photography details
80
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography info
Pentax P80 Street photography info
73
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
includes touch to focus
weather sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (397g)
55
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Pentax P80
75
megapixel count decent (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
17
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography factors
Pentax P80 Travel photography factors
77
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch to focus
megapixel count decent (21MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
heavier than competitors in class (397g)
62
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography information
Pentax P80 Landscape photography information
79
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
megapixel count decent (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
does not have image stabilization
32
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging highlights
Pentax P80 Vlogging highlights
71
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has external mic port
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (397g)
28
pretty wide (28mm)
lighter than average in class (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax P80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax P80
 Nikon Z50Pentax Optio P80
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z50 Pentax Optio P80
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2019-10-10 2009-08-05
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 Prime
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 209 9
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.6-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 10cm
Amount of lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 11.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.60 m
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 gr (0.88 lb) 125 gr (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 life 320 photographs -
Battery format Built-in -
Battery ID EN-EL25 D-LI68
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $857 $200