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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Announced January 2014
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
  • Launched August 2009
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WS80, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and WS80 (10MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was announced 4 years later than the WS80 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick summation of how the SZ8 matches up against the WS80 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax WS80

 SZ8 WS80 
LaunchedJanuary 2014August 2009Fresher by 54 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic SZ8

 WS80 SZ8 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WS80

 SZ8 WS80 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 enjoys outside measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax WS80 has dimensions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WS80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ8 compared to the WS80.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and WS80 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizing only by researching specs. The graphic here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and WS80.

All in all, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ8 to render extra detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer SZ8 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography highlights
35
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
26
focusing manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
Street photography with Pentax WS80
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (159g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
59
environment proof
lighter than competition (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Sports photography camera
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
23
environment proof
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography information
Pentax WS80 Travel photography information
67
lighter than others in class (159g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
lighter than competition (125g)
environment proof
has built in flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
42
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
not so great battery life (200 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
31
focusing manually
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
Vlogging with Pentax WS80
32
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (159g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
25
lighter than competition (125 grams)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Optio WS80
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Announced 2014-01-06 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine 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 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.8-4.7
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 3.40 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
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 (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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lbs) 125 grams (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 200 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $275 $220