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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
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
  • Introduced August 2009
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the WS80 (10MP) is very well matched but the FS42 (1/2.5") and WS80 (1/2.3") come with different sensor measurements.

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The FS42 was launched 3 months earlier than the WS80 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax WS80 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the FS42 matches up against the WS80 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax WS80

 FS42 WS80 

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic FS42

 WS80 FS42 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax WS80

 FS42 WS80 
IntroducedApril 2009August 2009Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic FS42 has outer measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax WS80 has specifications of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the FS42 compared to the WS80.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and WS80 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the FS42 and WS80.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count but different sensor sizes. The FS42 uses the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field harder.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography features
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography features
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW format
26
you can focus manually
no manual control
no external flash support
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography details
Pentax WS80 Street photography details
47
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW format
low max ISO (1,000)
59
environment proof
lighter than others in class (125g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography factors
Pentax WS80 Sports photography factors
16
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
23
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
Travel photography with Pentax WS80
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (10MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
environment proof
has built in flash
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
22
lack of manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
31
you can focus manually
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Pentax WS80
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have mic port
25
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax Optio WS80
Category Ultracompact Waterproof
Launched 2009-04-17 2009-08-05
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1000 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132g (0.29 pounds) 125g (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $580 $220