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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
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 S3 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Below, we will be analyzing the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Waterproof by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and WS80 (10MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S3 was introduced 18 months after the WS80 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a concise overview of how the S3 scores versus the WS80 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax WS80

 S3 WS80 
RevealedJanuary 2011August 2009Newer by 18 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic S3

 WS80 S3 
Focus manually Very precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax WS80

 S3 WS80 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen dimensions
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S3 has outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Pentax WS80 has proportions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the S3 versus the WS80.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and WS80 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions only by checking a spec sheet. The picture below will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and WS80.

As you can see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic S3 to give extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more modern S3 should have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography features
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography features
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
26
you can focus manually
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S3
Street photography with Pentax WS80
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
59
weather proof
lighter than average in class (125g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography advice
Pentax WS80 Sports photography advice
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
23
weather proof
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WS80 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competition (117 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
61
lighter than average in class (125g)
weather proof
built-in flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
38
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
31
you can focus manually
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WS80 as a Vlogging camera
31
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
25
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
wide angle not good (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Optio WS80
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Revealed 2011-01-05 2009-08-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV Prime
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117g (0.26 lbs) 125g (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 life 250 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $110 $220