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Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Olympus VG-120 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Olympus VG-120
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 120g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2011
Pentax WS80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.8-4.7) lens
  • 125g - 92 x 60 x 22mm
  • Released August 2009
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Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Olympus VG-120 and Pentax WS80, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the VG-120 (14MP) and WS80 (10MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The VG-120 was launched 18 months later than the WS80 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus VG-120 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax WS80 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the VG-120 scores vs the WS80 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-120 over the Pentax WS80

 VG-120 WS80 
ReleasedJanuary 2011August 2009Fresher by 18 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Olympus VG-120

 WS80 VG-120 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus VG-120 and Pentax WS80

 VG-120 WS80 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus VG-120 enjoys external dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 120 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has dimensions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Compare the Olympus VG-120 and Pentax WS80 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the VG-120 vs the WS80.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the VG-120 and WS80 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by viewing technical specs. The photograph underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the VG-120 and WS80.

As you can tell, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus VG-120 to render extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The newer VG-120 provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-120 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
includes face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
26
focusing manually
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VG-120
Street photography with Pentax WS80
48
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
59
environment proofing
lighter than average in class (125g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus VG-120
Sports photography with Pentax WS80
26
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (160 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
23
environment proofing
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WS80 Travel photography highlights
62
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery power (160 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
environment proofing
flash built-in
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus VG-120
Landscape photography with Pentax WS80
36
really wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery power (160 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
31
focusing manually
environment proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-120 Vlogging highlights
Pentax WS80 Vlogging highlights
28
really wide (26mm)
includes face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
25
lighter than average in class (125g)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus VG-120 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-120 and Pentax WS80
 Olympus VG-120Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus VG-120 Pentax Optio WS80
Category Ultracompact Waterproof
Released 2011-01-06 2009-08-05
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focusing range 7cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 120 gr (0.26 pounds) 125 gr (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 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 life 160 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-70B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $190 $220