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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax WS80, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the FZ40 (14MP) and WS80 (10MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was released 12 months later than the WS80 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax WS80 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick view of how the FZ40 scores versus the WS80 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax WS80

 FZ40 WS80 
ReleasedJuly 2010August 2009Fresher by 12 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic FZ40

 WS80 FZ40 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax WS80

 FZ40 WS80 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FZ40 has got exterior measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has sizing of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax WS80 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the FZ40 compared to the WS80.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FZ40 and WS80 is 68 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The graphic underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ40 and WS80.

As you can tell, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic FZ40 to resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop photos more aggressively. The more modern FZ40 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography factors
46
manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
26
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography details
Pentax WS80 Street photography details
51
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (494 grams)
59
environment proof
lighter than competition (125g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
Sports photography with Pentax WS80
43
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
23
environment proof
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Travel photography camera
54
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (494g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
61
lighter than competition (125 grams)
environment proof
has built in flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
51
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse function
31
focusing manually
environment proof
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging features
Pentax WS80 Vlogging features
23
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
heavier than others in class (494 grams)
25
lighter than competition (125 grams)
wide angle not great (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic support
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax Optio WS80
Other name Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Introduced 2010-07-21 2009-08-05
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.50 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494g (1.09 lb) 125g (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $420 $220