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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2012
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
  • Announced August 2009
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax WS80, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Waterproof by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and WS80 (10MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was launched 2 years after the WS80 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the SZ1 scores against the WS80 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax WS80

 SZ1 WS80 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012August 2009More modern by 30 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic SZ1

 WS80 SZ1 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax WS80

 SZ1 WS80 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ1 provides outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has measurements 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 SZ1 and Pentax WS80 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ1 and the WS80.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ1 and WS80 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through specs. The pic underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ1 and WS80.

All in all, the 2 cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic SZ1 to provide more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher SZ1 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography info
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography info
34
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
26
has manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (131g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
59
environment sealing
lighter than competition (125 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography information
Pentax WS80 Sports photography information
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
23
environment sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography advice
Pentax WS80 Travel photography advice
70
lighter than competition in class (131g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
61
lighter than competition (125 grams)
environment sealing
flash built-in
MP count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
43
really wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
31
has manual focus
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
Pentax WS80 Vlogging factors
32
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (131g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
25
lighter than competition (125 grams)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Optio WS80
Category Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Announced 2012-01-09 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focus range 4cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (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 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131 gr (0.29 pounds) 125 gr (0.28 pounds)
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 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $179 $220