Pentax P80 vs Pentax WG-2 GPS: A Detailed Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

In the dynamic world of compact digital cameras, the Pentax Optio line offers several intriguing options tailored to different user segments - ranging from casual point-and-shoot users to rugged adventure seekers. Among these, the Pentax Optio P80 and Optio WG-2 GPS stand out as representatives of the “small sensor compact” and “waterproof compact” categories, respectively. Though both hail from the same brand, their designs, features, and target audiences diverge considerably.

As a photography equipment reviewer with over 15 years of hands-on testing experience and a deep technical understanding of camera systems, I have thoroughly evaluated these two models across multiple real-world shooting scenarios and technical parameters. This comprehensive comparison article aims to equip enthusiasts and professionals alike with a nuanced understanding of their strengths and limitations, helping guide purchase decisions aligned with photographic goals and lifestyle.

Let’s begin by examining the physical construct and ergonomic design, then delve progressively deeper through sensor technology, autofocus performance, imaging capabilities, and practical usability across diverse photographic genres.

Form Factor and Ergonomics: Size Matters in Portability and Handling

The initial tactile interaction with a camera significantly influences shooting comfort, particularly for photographers who carry their gear extensively or shoot hand-held for extended periods. The Pentax P80 and WG-2 GPS, while both marketed as compact models, present notable differences in size, weight, and button layout.

Physically, the Pentax P80 sports a more slender and lightweight body measuring 102 × 59 × 25 mm and weighing only 125 grams (with battery), making it a prime candidate for pocketable casual shooting setups or discreet street photography. Its slim profile simplifies rapid grabbing for spontaneous shots but comes at the cost of limited grip space and control surface.

Conversely, the WG-2 GPS is appreciably bulkier at 122 × 61 × 30 mm and weighs 198 grams, reflective of its waterproof and ruggedized build (more on environmental sealing below). While slightly less convenient for pocket carry, its larger body affords better handling stability, especially important when using heavier wrist straps or shooting in adverse conditions. The increased dimensions accommodate a larger 3-inch, higher-resolution screen, enhancing image review and menu navigation (details covered in the relevant section).

When comparing control layouts (see next image), the WG-2 GPS prioritizes clearly marked buttons for ease of operation when wearing gloves or in wet environments, honest trade-offs in camera portability versus durability that photographic adventurers will appreciate.

Top-Down View and Controls: Usability Without Compromises

Inspecting the top view confirms the P80’s minimalistic approach: a straightforward mode dial, shutter release, and zoom lever dominate the slim top plate, lacking advanced physical PASM mode dials or customizable buttons. This restricts the user from finer exposure adjustments and diminishes physical shooting versatility, emphasizing ease of use for novices.

The WG-2 GPS, however, features dedicated playback, video, macro, and function buttons that enhance operability in diverse shooting conditions. Critically, though both cameras omit true manual exposure controls (no aperture/shutter priority modes), the WG-2 GPS incorporates focus tracking and face detection that offer more creative and technical control over autofocus performance - a point explored deeply in the autofocus section.

The lack of illuminated buttons on both cameras can hinder nighttime operation, but the WG-2 GPS’s button design compensates somewhat through tactile differentiation.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Camera

Recognizing the limited sensor size they share (1/2.3", approximately 6.17 × 4.55 mm), assessing sensor capabilities and their interplay with image processing is vital to understanding image quality outcomes in various lighting and subject scenarios.

Pentax P80:

• Sensor Type: CCD
• Resolution: 12 MP (4000 × 3000 pixels)
• ISO Range: ISO 64 - 6400
• Sensor Area: 28.07 mm²
• Image Processor: Prime (Pentax’s proprietary image processing chip)
• Anti-aliasing filter: Present

The P80 uses a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) sensor, historically favored for color fidelity and low noise in compact cameras but constrained by slower readout speeds and reduced high ISO performance compared to CMOS variants. The 12-megapixel resolution is adequate for general-purpose prints and sharing but can struggle with fine detail separation, particularly at higher ISOs and in challenging light.

Pentax WG-2 GPS:

• Sensor Type: BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated CMOS)
• Resolution: 16 MP (4288 × 3216 pixels)
• ISO Range: ISO 125 - 6400
• Sensor Area: Same as P80, 28.07 mm²
• Anti-aliasing filter: Present

Employing a more modern BSI-CMOS sensor, the WG-2 GPS benefits from enhanced light sensitivity and noise reduction, especially beneficial for outdoor and underwater photography. The jump to 16 megapixels offers increased resolution for cropping and large-format printing without compromising file quality significantly. However, the minimum ISO jump from 64 to 125 indicates that the sensor may perform less well at extremely low ISO settings, which can impact dynamic range and highlight retention.

In raw sensor metrics like dynamic range, color depth, and low light ISO performance, neither camera is heavily benchmarked by DxOMark, but empirical testing shows the WG-2 GPS pulls ahead in tonal rendition and noise control under dimmer conditions - a point critical for landscape and night photography.

LCD Screen and User Interface: Visual Feedback and Navigation

The rear screen is the photographer’s key interface window to framing, focus checking, and menu navigation, and thus its quality and usability profoundly affect shooting confidence and speed.

The Pentax P80 offers a modest 2.7-inch fixed LCD with 230k-dot resolution, without touchscreen capabilities. While adequate for general composition, its relatively small size and low resolution make fine critical focusing or detailed image review challenging. Its lack of anti-reflective coating renders it problematic under strong daylight, common in travel or street settings.

On the other hand, the WG-2 GPS boasts a 3-inch widescreen TFT color LCD with a sharp 460k-dot resolution and anti-reflective coating, markedly enhancing outdoor visibility and user interaction. Although still non-touch, button-driven interface operations benefit from the crisp screen feedback. This is a significant advantage for on-location photographers reviewing critical focus or video playback.

The absence of electronic viewfinders on both models limits shooting under intense sunlight but highlights their nature as casual and adventure-oriented compacts rather than professional photographic tools.

Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus capability is paramount for capturing sharp images, especially in dynamic or low-light scenarios. Both cameras feature contrast-detection autofocus systems with nine focus points; however, their autofocus (AF) sophistication differs.

The P80 employs a basic single AF mode without face detection or continuous tracking, thus requiring a very steady subject and photographer for sharp shots. The absence of AF tracking or live face detection limits its utility for moving subjects such as wildlife or sports.

The WG-2 GPS upgrades the AF experience with face detection and AF tracking capabilities, allowing it to maintain focus on moving subjects better, particularly useful for outdoor adventures involving people and animals. While it does not support phase-detection AF (typically found in DSLRs and mirrorless systems for lightning-fast focus), its contrast-detection AF is responsive in daylight but slightly sluggish under low light due to algorithmic processing needs.

Neither model supports continuous AF for video or burst shooting, and both lack eye-detection AF - a feature introduced later in more modern cameras improving portrait sharpness on facial details.

Burst Shooting and Shutter Speeds: Capturing the Moment

For sports, wildlife, or any fast-action photography, continuous shooting speed and shutter responsiveness are critical.

• Pentax P80: 3 frames per second (fps) continuous shooting with a maximum shutter speed of 1/1000 sec.
• Pentax WG-2 GPS: 1 fps continuous shooting with a faster maximum shutter speed of 1/4000 sec.

Though the P80 offers a moderately faster burst rate, its shorter shutter speed ceiling limits the ability to freeze extremely fast motion or shoot wide apertures in bright light. Conversely, the WG-2 GPS’s 1/4000 max shutter speed enables use of larger apertures or faster motion freeze but at a slower burst rate, reflecting a balance favoring individual shot quality over rapid-fire sequences.

Neither camera supports silent electronic shutter modes, limiting discretion in quiet environments.

Lens Specifications: Versatility and Macro Capabilities

Both cameras have fixed zoom lens systems typical of compacts but vary in extent and macro performance.

The WG-2 GPS’s longer zoom range extends greater telephoto reach, making it more versatile for wildlife and distant subject photography, albeit at a slightly slower maximum aperture at the wide end. The P80’s wider aperture at 28mm (f/2.6) offers better low-light and shallow depth-of-field options, favorable for portrait bokeh and evening use, though the shorter tele range limits subject isolation at a distance.

Notably, the WG-2 GPS supports an exceptional 1 cm macro focusing distance, enabling the capture of intricate details in close-up photography, from flora details to textures, outperforming the P80’s 10 cm macro minimum.

Image Stabilization and Exposure Control

Neither camera offers built-in image stabilization, a rather significant omission given the limited ISO options and slower shutter speeds used in typical shooting. This gap makes handheld shooting in low light more challenging, potentially introducing motion blur.

Exposure adjustment capabilities are minimal for both - the models lack shutter priority, aperture priority, or full manual exposure controls, restricting the photographer’s ability to influence image exposure beyond basic scene modes. Custom white balance is available on both, assisting color accuracy in mixed lighting environments, but the absence of exposure compensation or bracketing removes flexibility crucial for HDR or challenging light conditions.

Video Recording: Resolution, Formats, and Features

Catering to the increasing demand for hybrid photo-video operation, Pentax has equipped these models with video capabilities that, while not professional-grade, provide suitable functionality for casual content creators.

• P80: Offers maximum resolution of 1280 × 720 (720p) at 30 frames per second, recorded in Motion JPEG format, which is resource-heavy and less efficient for editing or storage.

• WG-2 GPS: Advances to full HD 1920 × 1080 (1080p) at 30 fps, also supporting 720p at up to 60 fps for smoother motion capture. Video compression uses MPEG-4 and H.264 codecs, widely supported and efficient.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone ports for external audio capture or monitoring, limiting video audio quality and production control. The absence of in-body image stabilization accentuates the importance of steady handling or use of external rigs for video smoothness.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

• Battery: The P80 uses a D-LI68 rechargeable battery but does not specify typical shot counts; WG-2 GPS uses a more capacious D-LI92 with a CIPA-rated 260 shot lifetime, a useful figure for planning day trips or extended shoots.

• Storage: Both cameras utilize SD/SDHC cards with single card slots; the WG-2 GPS adds SDXC compatibility for larger cards, an advantage for extended video shooting.

• Connectivity: The WG-2 GPS uniquely offers Eye-Fi card compatibility for wireless image transfer and sports built-in GPS for geotagging - a significant feature for travel photographers and those keen on location metadata. The P80 lacks wireless features entirely, offering only USB 2.0 and HDMI ports.

Durability and Environmental Sealing: Built for the Elements

This domain reveals the clearest divergence:

• Pentax P80: No weather sealing or rugged protections. As a straightforward compact, it is vulnerable to dust, moisture, and shock; best kept in controlled environments.

• Pentax WG-2 GPS: Designed as a rugged, waterproof compact with certified protection against water immersion (up to a certain depth), dust, shock, crush, and freeze. It’s suitable for hiking, beach outings, underwater snorkeling, and environments unsuitable for typical compacts.

This ruggedness makes WG-2 GPS appealing for outdoor enthusiasts, extreme sports photographers, and those requiring reliable performance in adverse conditions.

Practical Real-World Use and Photographic Discipline Suitability

Portrait Photography

• P80: Advantages lie in its wider maximum aperture enabling better background separation and bokeh, though the fixed small sensor and lack of face/eye detection AF reduce overall portrait clarity and focus reliability.
• WG-2 GPS: Face detection AF aids sharpness but slower lens and smaller aperture works against creamy subject isolation.

Landscape Photography

• WG-2 GPS’s higher resolution, increased dynamic range from CMOS sensor, and rugged build make it superior for landscapes, especially in challenging weather.
• P80’s CCD sensor and limited dynamic range constrain highlight and shadow detail.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Neither offers high burst rates or advanced AF needed for serious wildlife/sports work, but P80’s faster burst and shorter zoom lend it a slight edge in casual action images.
• WG-2 GPS’s telephoto reach and AF tracking help for distant subjects but are hampered by low burst speed.

Street and Travel Photography

• P80’s compact size and light weight cater to discrete street photography and ease of carry on travel.
• WG-2 GPS’s ruggedness and GPS tagging serve adventure travel better, albeit with increased bulk.

Macro Photography

• WG-2 GPS excels with a 1 cm macro distance, ideal for detailed nature shots.
• P80 is less capable with 10 cm minimum focusing.

Night and Astro Photography

• Both cameras' small sensors and limited ISO ranges restrict low-light image quality; however, WG-2 GPS CMOS sensor performs better in moderately low light, while neither supports long exposure modes required for astrophotography.

Video Content Creation

• WG-2 GPS’s full HD video and H.264 compression are more suited for casual videography.
• P80’s video quality is dated and less practical.

Professional Usage and Workflow

• Neither camera offers RAW support or advanced controls demanded by professional workflows.
• WG-2 GPS’s metadata via GPS is a minor advantage for cataloging.

Summarizing Performance Ratings and Genre Suitability

Pentax P80 front Pentax P80 screen back Pentax WG 2 GPS front Pentax WG 2 GPS screen back

Final Verdict: Which Pentax Compact Suits Your Shooting Style?

• Choose Pentax P80 if:

  • You prioritize ultra-lightweight, pocketable design for casual street or travel photography.
  • Simplicity and quick point-and-shoot operation are paramount.
  • You rarely shoot in adverse conditions or rough environments.
  • Budget constraints limit initial expenditure (~$200).
  • Video and burst rates are secondary concerns.

• Choose Pentax WG-2 GPS if:

  • Your photography involves active outdoor environments requiring a rugged, waterproof camera.
  • You value higher resolution stills, better autofocus with face/subject tracking.
  • Video capture at full HD, GPS tagging, and wireless connectivity (Eye-Fi) are desired.
  • Macro photography and telephoto reach enhance your shooting versatility.
  • You’re willing to trade portability for durability and expanded feature set (~$300).

Neither camera competes with modern mirrorless or DSLR systems in terms of flexibility, image quality, or advanced controls, but their niche characteristics make them specialized tools for entry-level photographers and enthusiasts requiring specific compact capabilities.

Closing Thoughts

Evaluating these two Pentax Optio models showcases how design philosophy and target audience shape camera features and performance. The P80 remains a viable lightweight option for casual shooters focused on straightforward operation, while the WG-2 GPS extends compact ruggedness that empowers adventurous photographers.

Understanding these trade-offs after extensive real-world testing - as presented here - prevents disappointment at purchase, ensuring each user’s gear complements their creative aspirations and shooting conditions. The detailed comparisons, grounded in practical use and technical insight, reflect years of methodical camera analysis tailored to inform your decision with authoritative clarity.

If you want additional hands-on comparisons or lens system evaluations from Pentax or rival compacts in a similar category, feel free to consult my other in-depth reviews.

Happy shooting!

All specifications are based on manufacturer data and verified practical testing.