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Pentax P80 vs Sony G3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
23
Overall
30
Pentax Optio P80 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 Key Specs

Pentax P80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.6-5.8) lens
  • 125g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released August 2009
Sony G3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
  • 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
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Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax P80 vs Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the P80 (12MP) and the G3 (10MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The P80 was revealed 7 months after the G3 and they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise view of how the P80 matches up vs the G3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax P80 over the Sony G3

 P80 G3 
RevealedAugust 2009January 2009Newer by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Pentax P80

 G3 P80 
Display size3.5"2.7"Larger display (+0.8")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax P80 and Sony G3

 P80 G3 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax P80 enjoys physical measurements of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony G3 has specifications of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the P80 compared to the G3.

Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the P80 and G3 is 95 and 94 respectively.

Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing technical specs. The image here will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the P80 and G3.

As you can tell, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax P80 to provide greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The fresher P80 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 sensor size comparison

Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax P80
Portrait photography with Sony G3
27
manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
26
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax P80 as a Street photography camera
Sony G3 as a Street photography camera
55
lighter than average in class (125g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax P80 as a Sports photography camera
Sony G3 as a Sports photography camera
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax P80
Travel photography with Sony G3
62
lighter than average in class (125g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
50
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax P80 Landscape photography details
Sony G3 Landscape photography details
32
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
36
has manual focus
very good size screen (3.5 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax P80 as a Vlogging camera
Sony G3 as a Vlogging camera
28
relatively wide (28mm)
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone port
27
touchscreen capability
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have microphone port
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Pentax P80 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax P80 and Sony G3
 Pentax Optio P80Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio P80 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-08-05 2009-01-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-110mm (3.9x) 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.6-5.8 f/3.5-10.0
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3.5 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 1 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 4.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125g (0.28 lbs) 185g (0.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID D-LI68 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $200 $200