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Pentax W80 vs Sony A230

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W80 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A230 front
Portability
69
Imaging
50
Features
40
Overall
46

Pentax W80 vs Sony A230 Key Specs

Pentax W80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 156g - 100 x 56 x 25mm
  • Released June 2009
Sony A230
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 490g - 128 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A200
  • Later Model is Sony A290
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Pentax W80 vs Sony A230 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Pentax W80 and Sony A230, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the W80 (12MP) and the A230 (10MP) is very similar but the W80 (1/2.3") and A230 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The W80 was revealed 2 months after the A230 so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax W80 being a Compact camera and the Sony A230 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the W80 matches up against the A230 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax W80 over the Sony A230

 W80 A230 

Reasons to pick Sony A230 over the Pentax W80

 A230 W80 
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Pentax W80 and Sony A230

 W80 A230 
LaunchedJune 2009May 2009Similar generation
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax W80 vs Sony A230 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax W80 has exterior measurements of 100mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony A230 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax W80 and Sony A230 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the W80 vs the A230.

Pentax W80 vs Sony A230 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the W80 and A230 is 94 and 69 respectively.

Pentax W80 vs Sony A230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax W80 vs Sony A230 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to envision the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading specifications. The image here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the W80 and A230.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The W80 with its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Pentax W80 will deliver more detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively.

Pentax W80 vs Sony A230 sensor size comparison

Pentax W80 vs Sony A230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W80 vs Sony A230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax W80 Portrait photography information
Sony A230 Portrait photography information
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
54
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax W80 as a Street photography camera
Sony A230 as a Street photography camera
54
weather sealing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax W80 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A230 as a Sports photography camera
24
weather sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10MP)
bad battery (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax W80
Travel photography with Sony A230
64
weather sealing
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
45
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery (230 shots)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W80 Landscape photography info
Sony A230 Landscape photography info
37
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
weather sealing
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
bad battery (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax W80
Vlogging with Sony A230
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic port
9
no video recording
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Pentax W80 vs Sony A230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W80 and Sony A230
 Pentax Optio W80Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio W80 Sony Alpha DSLR-A230
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-06-25 2009-05-18
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.55x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 156g (0.34 lb) 490g (1.08 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 56 x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 128 x 97 x 68mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 63
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.4
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 230 photos
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI78 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $250 $569