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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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
  • Announced August 2009
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax WS80, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and WS80 (10MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was brought out 3 years later than the WS80 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SZ3 scores versus the WS80 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax WS80

 SZ3 WS80 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013August 2009More recent by 42 months

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic SZ3

 WS80 SZ3 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax WS80

 SZ3 WS80 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ3 features external dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has specifications of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax WS80 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the SZ3 vs the WS80.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and WS80 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements just by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and WS80.

As you can see, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ3 to give greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos much more aggressively. The more recent SZ3 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
Portrait photography with Pentax WS80
30
megapixel count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
26
you can focus manually
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
Street photography with Pentax WS80
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
59
weather proofing
lighter than competitors (125g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography features
Pentax WS80 Sports photography features
41
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
23
weather proofing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography details
Pentax WS80 Travel photography details
71
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
lighter than competitors (125g)
weather proofing
built-in flash
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
39
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
31
you can focus manually
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax WS80 Vlogging highlights
31
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
25
lighter than competitors (125g)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax Optio WS80
Class Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2013-01-07 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - 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 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.10 m 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 grams (0.28 pounds) 125 grams (0.28 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $150 $220