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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Optio P80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
23
Overall
30

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Pentax P80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.6-5.8) lens
  • 125g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched August 2009
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax P80, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and P80 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was manufactured 4 years after the P80 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short view of how the SZ8 scores against the P80 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax P80

 SZ8 P80 
LaunchedJanuary 2014August 2009More modern by 54 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax P80 over the Panasonic SZ8

 P80 SZ8 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax P80

 SZ8 P80 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 comes with external measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax P80 has proportions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax P80 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ8 vs the P80.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and P80 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by viewing specifications. The image below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and P80.

To sum up, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Panasonic SZ8 to provide you with greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more modern SZ8 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
Portrait photography with Pentax P80
35
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
provides face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
has manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
Street photography with Pentax P80
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (159g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
55
lighter than others (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography info
Pentax P80 Sports photography info
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax P80 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than others in class (159g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
62
lighter than others (125 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Pentax P80
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery life (200 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
32
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
Pentax P80 Vlogging details
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
28
pretty wide (28mm)
lighter than others (125g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax P80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Optio P80
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Optio P80
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-01-06 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine 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 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/2.6-5.8
Macro focus range - 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 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 data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 159 gr (0.35 lb) 125 gr (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 200 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, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $275 $200