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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released January 2014
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS35
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS45
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 ZS40 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax WS80, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the ZS40 (18MP) and WS80 (10MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The ZS40 was launched 4 years later than the WS80 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the ZS40 grades against the WS80 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax WS80

 ZS40 WS80 
LaunchedJanuary 2014August 2009Fresher by 54 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic ZS40

 WS80 ZS40 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax WS80

 ZS40 WS80 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS40 enjoys external measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) while 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).

Look at the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax WS80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the ZS40 vs the WS80.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS40 and WS80 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing simply by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS40 and WS80.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic ZS40 to produce greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The fresher ZS40 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography factors
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography factors
52
has manual focus
good MP (18MP)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
26
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography details
Pentax WS80 Street photography details
69
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (240g)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
59
weather proofing
lighter than competition (125 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography factors
Pentax WS80 Sports photography factors
54
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
23
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography information
Pentax WS80 Travel photography information
69
lighter than competition (240g)
good MP (18MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
no Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
61
lighter than competition (125g)
weather proofing
flash built-in
MP count low (10MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
56
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no Timelapse function
31
focusing manually
weather proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging features
Pentax WS80 Vlogging features
34
quite wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (240g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone socket
25
lighter than competition (125 grams)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax Optio WS80
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2014-01-06 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240 grams (0.53 lb) 125 grams (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 300 shots -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $450 $220