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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Optio P80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
23
Overall
30

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
Pentax P80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.6-5.8) lens
  • 125g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Introduced August 2009
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the P80 (12MP) is very similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S3 was introduced 18 months later than the P80 making them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the S3 grades against the P80 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax P80

 S3 P80 
IntroducedJanuary 2011August 2009Fresher by 18 months

Reasons to pick Pentax P80 over the Panasonic S3

 P80 S3 
Focus manually Very exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax P80

 S3 P80 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S3 comes with outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax P80 has measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the S3 vs the P80.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and P80 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading specifications. The photograph underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the S3 and P80.

To sum up, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic S3 to offer extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos more aggressively. The more recent S3 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax P80 Portrait photography advice
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax P80 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
55
lighter than others in class (125g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography features
Pentax P80 Sports photography features
35
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
17
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography details
Pentax P80 Travel photography details
68
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
62
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax P80 as a Landscape photography camera
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
32
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
Pentax P80 Vlogging information
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
28
decently wide (28mm)
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic support
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax P80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax P80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Optio P80
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Optio P80
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-01-05 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV 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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/2.6-5.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 4.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction -
Hot shoe
AEB
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 (30fps), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 grams (0.26 pounds) 125 grams (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 250 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $110 $200