Pentax P80 vs Sony NEX-5T

Exploring Two Worlds: Pentax P80 Versus Sony NEX-5T – A Journey Through Compact and Mirrorless Photography

When diving into the world of digital photography, your choice of camera often hinges on balancing portability, image quality, and creative control. Today, I’m taking a deep dive into two distinctly different yet historically notable cameras: the Pentax Optio P80, a small sensor compact from 2009, and the Sony Alpha NEX-5T, an early mirrorless camera launched in 2013 that helped popularize interchangeable lens systems among enthusiasts.

This comparison isn’t just a spec sheet showdown - it’s about how these cameras perform in real-world shooting scenarios across genres, how their technology stands up with experience-tested insights, and which kinds of photographers will find each a better fit.

Let’s get started by sizing them up - literally.

Pocket Friends or Grip Masters? Handling and Ergonomics in Focus

Handling a camera is something I test extensively during my hands-on evaluations since a camera’s feel can make or break your shooting experience. The Pentax P80 embodies the ultra-compact “grab-and-go” philosophy, boasting a slender, lightweight body measuring 102 x 59 x 25 mm and weighing just 125 grams. Compare that to the Sony NEX-5T’s more substantial 111 x 59 x 39 mm footprint and 276-gram weight, reflecting its mirrorless roots with an APS-C sensor and interchangeable lens mount.

The P80’s slim profile makes it effortlessly pocketable and quick to whip out for snapshots, but its size restricts control placement and button size. Sony’s NEX-5T, while not bulky, affords a more pronounced grip and better button layout, beneficial for longer shoots or precise manual controls. Observe the top control layouts in this image, highlighting how the NEX-5T’s dial and buttons cater to more nuanced settings adjustments.

If you prize absolute portability and simplicity, the P80 wins here. For a bit more heft in exchange for tactile feedback and expanded controls, the NEX-5T feels more like a professional tool.

Sensor Tech: The Heart of Image Quality

Now, onto image quality - where sensor size and technology truly make a mark. The Pentax P80 features a small 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring just 6.17 x 4.55 mm, packing 12 megapixels. Meanwhile, the Sony NEX-5T leverages a much larger APS-C sized CMOS sensor (23.4 x 15.6 mm) at 16 megapixels.

From my testing methodology, which involves shooting RAW (where supported) or maximum quality JPEGs under controlled lighting with standardized charts and real environments, the larger sensor in the NEX-5T significantly outperforms in dynamic range, noise control, and overall image fidelity.

To quantify:

• Pentax P80: Limited dynamic range due to small sensor size and older CCD tech; results in highlight clipping and less shadow detail.
• Sony NEX-5T: Demonstrates a healthy dynamic range (~13 stops DXO mark), enabling better preservation of details in bright and dark regions.

Additionally, higher native ISO capability on the NEX-5T lets you shoot in low-light conditions with less noise - essential for event or street photographers.

Don’t forget while the P80 supports ISO up to 6400, noise becomes pronounced beyond ISO 400 in actual use. Sensor technology and processing advancements in the NEX-5T's Bionz processor further boost low-light usability.

Framing Your Shot: LCD Screens and User Interfaces

The rear LCD and interface are critical to composition and camera operation comfort. The Pentax P80 sports a 2.7-inch fixed LCD screen at 230k-dot resolution - not exactly dazzling in clarity or size. The Sony NEX-5T’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen, boasting 922k dots and touch responsiveness, provides a much more vivid and versatile composition experience.

The tilt functionality opens up creative shooting angles, and touch capabilities streamline menu navigation and autofocus point control - a feature the P80 lacks altogether.

Based on extensive fieldwork, I find this LCD difference crucial, especially for video or macro scenarios where screen flexibility assists framing.

Sample Shots Side-by-Side: Real-World Image Quality

Let’s look beyond specs and assess how both perform in actual shooting conditions. The following gallery contains unedited JPEG samples illustrating each camera’s strengths and limitations:

Pentax P80 front Pentax P80 screen back Sony NEX 5T front Sony NEX 5T screen back

Notice how the NEX-5T captures sharper details, richer colors, and a more natural tonal range thanks to its larger sensor and better processing pipeline. The P80 images, while decent given its segment and age, show softness, limited dynamic range, and less vibrant color reproduction.

Such a direct visual comparison helps evaluate which camera’s output aligns with your quality expectations.

Autofocus Systems and Burst Shooting: Speed Matters

Speed and accuracy in focus and shooting speed are decisive for many genres - wildlife, sports, and street photography especially.

The P80’s autofocus is contrast-based with 9 points but only single-shot AF, no tracking or continuous focus. Burst speed maxes at about 3 FPS, which in my tests results in frequent focus hunting and missed shots in action scenes.

Conversely, the NEX-5T features a hybrid AF system combining phase-detection and contrast AF with 99 points (25 cross-type), supporting continuous and tracking autofocus. Burst shooting hits a comfortable 10 FPS.

This means the NEX-5T can lock onto moving subjects with impressive reliability, crucial for sports and wildlife photography.

Durability and Weather Resistance: Can They Brave the Elements?

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged features. The Pentax P80 and Sony NEX-5T cater to casual or enthusiast shooters using caution in adverse environments.

For landscape photographers tackling harsher conditions - or travelers frequently outdoors - I’d recommend complementing these with protective cases or potentially looking at higher-tier models offering environmental sealing.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: Fixed vs. Interchangeable

Here’s a pivotal distinction: the P80’s 28-110mm equivalent fixed lens offers convenience but limits adaptability. It covers moderate wide to telephoto with a modest aperture range (f/2.6-5.8), decent for snapshots but lacks creative control, such as wide apertures for bokeh or macro lenses.

The Sony NEX-5T uses the Sony E-mount, supporting a vast ecosystem of 121 lenses (and growing), including primes, zooms, macro, and specialty options.

This versatility unlocks photographic creativity across genres. Want a fast f/1.8 prime for portraits? Or a super-tele zoom for wildlife? The NEX-5T can accommodate that, boosting its long-term value tremendously.

Video Capabilities: Narrating in Motion

Video is becoming an equally essential feature. The Pentax P80 offers basic HD (1280x720 at 30fps) in Motion JPEG format with no advanced audio inputs or stabilization.

Meanwhile, the Sony NEX-5T steps things up with Full HD 1080p capabilities at multiple frame rates (60p/60i/24p) encoded in MPEG-4 and AVCHD, offering smoother, richer video quality.

Though lacking external mic or headphone jacks, the latter’s tilting touchscreen aids in cinematography composition.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Battery longevity is a practical concern - especially for travel and event shoots.

The P80’s battery life data isn’t specified - typical compact batteries generally deliver between 150-250 shots on a charge.

Sony’s NEX-5T offers about 330 shots per charge, benefiting from a larger removable battery and power management optimized for mirrorless tech.

Both cameras support SD/SDHC cards, with the NEX-5T allowing SDXC as well. The NEX-5T also supports Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats, adding flexibility.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Interestingly, the NEX-5T boasts built-in wireless connectivity and NFC for quick sharing and remote control, a boon for today’s digitally connected workflow.

In contrast, the P80 lacks wireless features entirely, reflecting its generation.

Putting It All Together: Head-to-Head Scoring by Photography Type

To contextualize how these differences translate across photographic genres, here is a comparative performance breakdown:

You’ll note the P80 fares reasonably for casual travel and street photography owing to its compact size. However, the NEX-5T dominates in portraiture, landscape, wildlife, sports, macro, night photography, and video - thanks to its superior sensor, AF system, lens flexibility, and exposure control.

The final overall performance scores visualize this gap clearly:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations: Who Should Buy What?

So, where do these cameras fit today’s market and user needs?

Pentax P80:

• Great for beginners or casual shooters prioritizing ultra-compact size and simplicity.
• Ideal for ease-of-use travel snapshots, family gatherings, or second backup camera.
• Budget-conscious buyers wanting basic HD video.
• Not suitable for advanced or demanding photography workflows due to limited controls, fixed lens, and sensor constraints.

Sony NEX-5T:

• Enthusiasts and semi-pros seeking an affordable entry into interchangeable lens mirrorless systems.
• Photographers who want creative control with aperture/shutter priority modes, manual exposure, excellent autofocus, and RAW support.
• Versatile users covering portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and casual video.
• Those interested in a camera that can grow with their skills and lens investments.
• Lacking weather-sealing but otherwise a well-rounded performer.

Wrapping Up

Choosing between the Pentax P80 and Sony NEX-5T is essentially choosing between compact convenience and mirrorless versatility. My personal experience and testing indicate that while the P80 comfortably fits snapshot needs, the NEX-5T is a far more capable tool for those eager to expand their photographic boundaries or require better image quality and performance.

Before you decide, consider what you shoot most, your willingness to carry lenses, and your appetite for learning manual controls. The NEX-5T will reward the engaged photographer; the P80 serves the straightforward photographer looking for no-hassle image capture.

Whichever you choose, I hope this comparison gives you a clear picture grounded in technical expertise, field experience, and practical realities.

Happy shooting!