Pentax K100D S vs Pentax WS80

The following is a comprehensive review of the Pentax K100D S and Pentax WS80, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Waterproof and they are both offered by Pentax. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the K100D S (6MP) and WS80 (10MP) and the K100D S (APS-C) and WS80 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The K100D S was manufactured 3 years earlier than the WS80 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K100D S being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax WS80 being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the K100D S grades vs the WS80 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax K100D Super and Pentax Optio WS80. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax K100D S Gallery and Pentax WS80 Gallery.

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax K100D S has got outer measurements of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) while the Pentax WS80 has sizing of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

See the Pentax K100D S and Pentax WS80 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the K100D S against the WS80.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the K100D S and WS80 is 65 and 95 respectively.

Usually, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specs. The pic below might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K100D S and WS80.

All in all, the 2 cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K100D S featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax WS80 will show greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged K100D S will be behind in sensor tech.