Pentax P80 vs Sony RX100

Lets look more closely at the Pentax P80 and Sony RX100, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the P80 (12MP) and RX100 (20MP) and the P80 (1/2.3") and RX100 (1") provide different sensor sizing.

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The P80 was released 4 years earlier than the RX100 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax P80 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the P80 matches up vs the RX100 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio P80 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax P80 Gallery and Sony RX100 Gallery.

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax P80 offers outer dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony RX100 has sizing of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

See the Pentax P80 and Sony RX100 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the P80 against the RX100.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the P80 and RX100 is 95 and 91 respectively.

Usually, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor sizing purely by reviewing technical specs. The visual below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the P80 and RX100.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The P80 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony RX100 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older P80 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.