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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS60
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
  • Revealed August 2009
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax WS80, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Waterproof by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the WS80 (10MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS50 was revealed 5 years after the WS80 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the ZS50 grades against the WS80 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax WS80

 ZS50 WS80 
RevealedJanuary 2015August 2009More modern by 66 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Panasonic ZS50

 WS80 ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax WS80

 ZS50 WS80 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS50 has external measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has specifications of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax WS80 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS50 and the WS80.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ZS50 and WS80 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor sizes merely by reviewing technical specs. The pic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS50 and WS80.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic ZS50 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent ZS50 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography info
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography info
42
you can focus manually
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
26
has manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS50
Street photography with Pentax WS80
68
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (243g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
59
environment sealing
lighter than competition (125g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography factors
Pentax WS80 Sports photography factors
43
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
23
environment sealing
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography highlights
Pentax WS80 Travel photography highlights
66
lighter than competition (243g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
61
lighter than competition (125 grams)
environment sealing
has built in flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WS80 Landscape photography advice
51
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
31
has manual focus
environment sealing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging features
Pentax WS80 Vlogging features
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (243 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
25
lighter than competition (125 grams)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax WS80
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax Optio WS80
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2015-01-06 2009-08-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 3.40 m
Flash settings 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
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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
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 243 grams (0.54 lbs) 125 grams (0.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 44 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 138 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $350 $220