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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80

Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46
Pentax MX-1 front
 
Pentax Optio WS80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80 Key Specs

Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Introduced July 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
  • Launched August 2009
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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Pentax MX-1 versus Pentax WS80, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Waterproof and both of them are created by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the MX-1 (12MP) and the WS80 (10MP) is very similar but the MX-1 (1/1.7") and WS80 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.

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The MX-1 was unveiled 3 years after the WS80 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the MX-1 matches up versus the WS80 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Pentax WS80

 MX-1 WS80 
LaunchedJuly 2013August 2009More modern by 48 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Pentax MX-1

 WS80 MX-1 

Common features in the Pentax MX-1 and Pentax WS80

 MX-1 WS80 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax MX-1 comes with exterior measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs) whilst the Pentax WS80 has specifications of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Pentax MX-1 versus Pentax WS80 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the MX-1 compared to the WS80.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the MX-1 and WS80 is 84 and 95 respectively.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80 top view buttons comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading specifications. The image underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the MX-1 and WS80.

Plainly, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The MX-1 using its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax MX-1 will offer extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The newer MX-1 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80 sensor size comparison

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Portrait photography camera
42
manual focus
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
26
manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax MX-1
Street photography with Pentax WS80
65
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than others in class (391g)
59
weather sealing
lighter than competition (125 grams)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Sports photography information
Pentax WS80 Sports photography information
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (290 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
lacks phase detect AF
23
weather sealing
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Travel photography details
Pentax WS80 Travel photography details
61
better than average battery pack (290 per charge)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (391 grams)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
61
lighter than competition (125 grams)
weather sealing
has built in flash
low resolution (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax MX-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (290 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
lack of Time Lapse recording
31
manual focus
weather sealing
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax MX-1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax WS80 Vlogging highlights
33
really wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
heavier than others in class (391 grams)
25
lighter than competition (125g)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Pentax MX-1 vs Pentax WS80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax MX-1 and Pentax WS80
 Pentax MX-1Pentax Optio WS80
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax MX-1 Pentax Optio WS80
Type Small Sensor Compact Waterproof
Introduced 2013-07-01 2009-08-05
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 35-175mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.8-4.7
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Crop factor 4.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 920k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 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 file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 391g (0.86 lbs) 125g (0.28 lbs)
Dimensions 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 208 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-Li-106 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $400 $220