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Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
64
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ200
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 588g - 125 x 87 x 110mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Superseded the Panasonic FZ100
  • Replacement is Panasonic FZ300
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
  • Revealed August 2009
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Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Panasonic FZ200 and Pentax WS80, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FZ200 (12MP) and the WS80 (10MP) is relatively close and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FZ200 was unveiled 2 years after the WS80 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ200 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax WS80 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the FZ200 scores vs the WS80 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ200 over the Pentax WS80

 FZ200 WS80 
RevealedJuly 2012August 2009More modern by 36 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic FZ200

 WS80 FZ200 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ200 and Pentax WS80

 FZ200 WS80 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ200 enjoys external dimensions of 125mm x 87mm x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") with a weight of 588 grams (1.30 lbs) whilst the Pentax WS80 has proportions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FZ200 and Pentax WS80 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the FZ200 versus the WS80.

Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FZ200 and WS80 is 65 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through a spec sheet. The picture below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ200 and WS80.

Clearly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Panasonic FZ200 to render greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more modern FZ200 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ200 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography factors
48
focusing manually
above average flash sync speed (1/4,000 seconds)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
26
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ200 Street photography factors
Pentax WS80 Street photography factors
57
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
very small sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than competition in class (588 grams)
59
environment proof
lighter than competition (125 grams)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ200 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Sports photography camera
46
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
great battery pack (540 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
23
environment proof
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ200 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WS80 Travel photography highlights
55
great battery pack (540 CIPA)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (588g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competition (125g)
environment proof
flash built-in
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ200 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
48
focusing manually
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (540 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse function
31
has manual focus
environment proof
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ200 Vlogging info
Pentax WS80 Vlogging info
63
reasonably wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic support
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competition in class (588g)
25
lighter than competition (125 grams)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic port
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Panasonic FZ200 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ200 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 Pentax Optio WS80
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2012-07-18 2009-08-05
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine VII FHD Prime
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology Free-Angle TFT Screen LCD Display -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,312 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.50 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/4000 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (240, 120, 30, 25 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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic 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 588 grams (1.30 pounds) 125 grams (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 87 x 110mm (4.9" x 3.4" x 4.3") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 37 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 19.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 114 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $499 $220