Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax P80

Below is a extensive assessment of the Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax P80, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the XZ-1 (10MP) and the P80 (12MP) is fairly close but the XZ-1 (1/1.63") and P80 (1/2.3") come with different sensor measurements.

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The XZ-1 was released 18 months later than the P80 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the XZ-1 scores versus the P80 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax Optio P80. The complete galleries are available at Olympus XZ-1 Gallery and Pentax P80 Gallery.

When you are going to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus XZ-1 offers exterior dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs) whilst the Pentax P80 has specifications of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax P80 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the XZ-1 vs the P80.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-1 and P80 is 88 and 95 respectively.

Quite often, it is difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching a spec sheet. The visual below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-1 and P80.

As you can see, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The XZ-1 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax P80 will result in extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The younger XZ-1 should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.