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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 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
  • Released August 2009
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Waterproof and they are both designed by Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and WS80 (10MP) and the K-500 (APS-C) and WS80 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-500 was introduced 4 years after the WS80 which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax WS80 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the K-500 grades vs the WS80 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax WS80

 K-500 WS80 
ReleasedNovember 2013August 2009Newer by 53 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Pentax K-500

 WS80 K-500 

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Pentax WS80

 K-500 WS80 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-500 features outside measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has dimensions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-500 compared to the WS80.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the K-500 and WS80 is 64 and 95 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing technical specs. The picture below might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-500 and WS80.

As you can tell, both of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The K-500 with its larger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax K-500 will offer you more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos much more aggressively. The younger K-500 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography advice
Pentax WS80 Portrait photography advice
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
26
manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Street photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Street photography camera
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
59
environment sealing
lighter than competition in class (125g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Sports photography camera
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
better than average battery (710 per charge)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
23
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-500
Travel photography with Pentax WS80
67
better than average battery (710 shots)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
61
lighter than competition in class (125g)
environment sealing
has built in flash
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (710 per charge)
31
manual focus
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax WS80 as a Vlogging camera
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
25
lighter than competition in class (125g)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Pentax WS80
 Pentax K-500Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-500 Pentax Optio WS80
Type Entry-Level DSLR Waterproof
Revealed 2013-11-27 2009-08-05
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME M Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 51600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.8-4.7
Number of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 646 gr (1.42 lbs) 125 gr (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1087 not tested
Other
Battery life 710 photos -
Style of battery AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI68
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $600 $220