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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
56
Imaging
45
Features
56
Overall
49
Olympus E-3 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Revealed February 2008
  • Replaced the Olympus E-1
  • Updated by Olympus E-5
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
  • Introduced August 2009
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Waterproof by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the WS80 (10MP) is relatively comparable but the E-3 (Four Thirds) and WS80 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The E-3 was launched 17 months earlier than the WS80 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax WS80 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the E-3 matches up against the WS80 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax WS80

 E-3 WS80 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Olympus E-3

 WS80 E-3 
IntroducedAugust 2009February 2008More recent by 17 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax WS80

 E-3 WS80 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus E-3 offers outer measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has sizing of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the E-3 and the WS80.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-3 and WS80 is 56 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements only by going through specs. The graphic here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and WS80.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The E-3 includes the bigger sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field less difficult. The older E-3 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Portrait photography camera
57
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (10 megapixels)
26
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Street photography camera
70
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
59
environment proofing
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WS80 Sports photography highlights
58
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
MP count low (10MP)
23
environment proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography factors
Pentax WS80 Travel photography factors
55
environment proofing
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
61
lighter than competitors (125g)
environment proofing
has built in flash
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax WS80 Landscape photography factors
56
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
screen is small (2.5")
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
31
you can focus manually
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WS80 as a Vlogging camera
18
no video shooting
25
lighter than competitors (125g)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic socket
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Pentax WS80
 Olympus E-3Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-3 Pentax Optio WS80
Class Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Revealed 2008-02-20 2009-08-05
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.8-4.7
Number of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890 grams (1.96 lb) 125 grams (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 571 not tested
Other
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $670 $220