Pentax W80 vs Sony A350

Below, we will be comparing the Pentax W80 versus Sony A350, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the W80 (12MP) and the A350 (14MP) is relatively similar but the W80 (1/2.3") and A350 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The W80 was unveiled 13 months later than the A350 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax W80 being a Compact camera and the Sony A350 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the W80 grades vs the A350 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio W80 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A350. The full galleries are available at Pentax W80 Gallery and Sony A350 Gallery.

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax W80 provides outer dimensions of 100mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Sony A350 has proportions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 674 grams (1.49 lbs).

Examine the Pentax W80 versus Sony A350 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the W80 against the A350.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the W80 and A350 is 94 and 62 respectively.

Quite often, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by reading a spec sheet. The photograph below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the W80 and A350.

Clearly, each of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The W80 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony A350 will offer you extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more recent W80 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.