Pentax W80 vs Sony RX100 VII

Pentax W80 vs Sony RX100 VII: An Expert’s Detailed Comparison for Enthusiasts and Pros

When I sit down to compare two cameras, especially as different in class and era as the Pentax Optio W80 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII, I approach it from the standpoint of real-world use, technical capability, and how each fares across photography genres - from portraits to wildlife, landscapes to street photography. These two cameras bookend a decade of compact camera evolution: the Pentax W80 emerged in 2009 as a rugged, entry-level compact, while the Sony RX100 VII, released in 2019, positions itself as a premium large sensor compact with serious capabilities.

If you’re looking for a camera to suit your particular photographic adventures or professional workflow, this review will guide you through the essentials, and hopefully clarify what you gain or miss with each.

Size, Handling & Build: Rugged Simplicity vs Premium Compact

Right out of the gate, these cameras are in very different worlds ergonomically. The Pentax W80 is a small sensor compact designed for casual users who want durability on the go: splashproof and built tough enough for light outdoor abuse but without the heft or geeky controls of “prosumer” compacts.

The Sony RX100 VII, meanwhile, is noticeably larger and heavier, trading portability for a richer feature set and better handling controls geared towards enthusiasts and professionals needing a serious travel camera.

What stands out at first glance is the RX100 VII’s more substantial grip and larger body, which is rewarding for longer shoots or more deliberate handling. The W80 feels palatable in a pocket but lacks tactile refinement or robust buttons.

Looking from the top, the RX100 VII has a well-balanced control layout with customizable dials and an electronic viewfinder, missing entirely on the W80.

If you value intuitive control and durability, the RX100 VII is the clear winner - but the W80 knows its audience: casual snapshooters who might want a no-fuss waterproof buddy. Notably, the W80 offers environmental sealing (though not full waterproofing), whereas the RX100 VII lacks weather sealing but compensates with premium materials.

Sensor and Image Quality: Tiny CCD vs Large 1” BSI-CMOS

One of the most striking differences - and a major performance divisor - lies in the sensor technology and size. The Pentax W80 uses a tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor with 12 MP resolution, while the Sony RX100 VII packs a vastly larger 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with 20 MP.

This difference impacts everything from dynamic range and noise control to depth of field and color rendition.

In laboratory testing, and from my hands-on experience, the RX100 VII’s 1” sensor offers much improved low-light performance and dynamic range - key for capturing nuanced detail in shadows and highlights, critical for landscape and portrait photographers alike. The W80’s sensor, while fine for casual daylight snaps, quickly reveals noise and softness in anything but ideal lighting.

The W80’s CCD sensor is inherently slower with readout and suffers from limited ISO range (max native ISO 6400 but effective sensitivity is lower). The RX100 VII’s BSI-CMOS tech shines at up to ISO 12800 with commendably manageable noise, lending itself well to low light, night, and astrophotography scenarios.

Focusing Systems: Basic Contrast vs Fast Hybrid AF

Autofocus is another category where the clocks tell the story. The Pentax W80 sports a basic contrast detection AF system with 9 fixed points and no face or eye detection; AF speed is modest, and there’s no continuous or tracking AF.

The Sony RX100 VII, conversely, includes a sophisticated hybrid AF system boasting hundreds of phase- and contrast-detection points, real-time tracking, eye and animal eye AF, and both single and continuous autofocus modes.

This disparity reflects in real-world shooting. The RX100 VII can lockdown focus on fast-moving subjects across wildlife and sports genres and keep them sharp during bursts of up to 20 fps continuous shooting. The Pentax, with a 1 fps rate and rudimentary AF, performs best in still or slow-moving scenes.

Display & Viewfinder: Simple Fixed Screen vs Fully Articulated Touch

Looking at the rear LCD and viewfinder arrangement, the W80 features a small, fixed 2.5-inch LCD with 230K pixel resolution - acceptable but lacking detail or flexibility. There’s no electronic viewfinder; framing must be done by eye.

The Sony RX100 VII elevates the experience with a 3-inch tilting touchscreen LCD at 921K pixel resolution, making menu navigation and focusing by touch intuitive. It also boasts a pop-up electronic OLED viewfinder with 100% coverage and 2.36 million dots - a joy for shooting in bright sunlight and precise composition.

If you’ve ever wrestled with glare on fixed, low-res LCDs, the RX100 VII’s viewfinder and articulated screen are a tangible upgrade, encouraging compositional experimentation and handheld convenience.

Lens & Zoom Range: Versatility That Matches Sensor

Talking about lenses, both cameras have fixed zoom lenses but with quite different specs affecting flexibility:

• Pentax W80: 28-140 mm (5× zoom), aperture f/3.5-5.5
• Sony RX100 VII: 24-200 mm (8.3× zoom), aperture f/2.8-4.5

The Sony’s zoom range stretches wider and longer, from wide-angle to substantial telephoto, complimented by a faster aperture at the wider end, helpful for low-light and shallow depth of field effects.

Macro capabilities also differ: the W80 can focus as close as 1 cm (impressive for casual use), while the RX100 VII focuses down to 8 cm - still good, but the RX100’s optical image stabilization (OIS) aids steadier macro captures.

Practical Image Samples and Output Quality

Of course, specs only tell so much - looking at actual images side by side is crucial.

Pentax W80 front Pentax W80 screen back Sony RX100 VII front Sony RX100 VII screen back

In my testing, the RX100 VII’s JPEGs and especially RAW files exhibit punchier colors, superior detail, and reduced noise vs. the W80’s softer, flatter images. Low-light shots from the W80 become mushy by ISO 800, while the RX100 maintains clarity even at ISO 3200. The bokeh quality is another differentiator; the RX100’s larger sensor and faster aperture lens produce smooth, creamy backgrounds ideal for portraits.

Performance in Key Photography Genres: What Each Camera Excels At

Let’s break down performance across popular photographic uses, highlighting strengths and limitations.

Portrait Photography

The Sony RX100 VII shines here with fast, accurate eye detection AF, beautiful bokeh, and wide apertures promoting subject isolation. The W80 lacks face/eye AF and the sensor limits tonal nuance, so portraits tend to be flatter and less forgiving.

Landscape and Travel

Dynamic range and resolution favor the RX100 VII for landscapes, providing more detail in shadows and highlights essential for dramatic scenic shots. The Pentax’s ruggedness and environmental sealing make it a reasonable choice for casual hikers, though image quality remains average. The RX100’s compact but capable form suits travelers wanting one versatile camera.

Wildlife & Sports

Burst rates and continuous AF place the RX100 VII leagues ahead for action photography; its 20 fps and reliable tracking allow capturing fleeting moments. The W80’s 1 fps and sluggish AF restrict it to static subjects.

Street and Macro

For candid street shots, the W80 is less obtrusive due to its small size but limited by slower AF and poor low-light abilities. The RX100 combines discreetness with rapid AF and better image quality, plus the tilting screen for creative angles. Macro enthusiasts benefit from the W80’s very close focus distance, although the RX100’s stabilization helps snap sharper close-ups.

Night and Astro Photography

The Sony’s high ISO range, exposure modes, and sensor size favor night and astrophotography outings. The W80’s sensor and noise performance reduce its suitability here.

Video and Multimedia

Video capabilities highlight the RX100 VII’s technological edge - 4K UHD at 30fps with advanced codecs and microphone input support, versus the W80’s maximum HD 720p at 30fps with Motion JPEG compression. The RX100’s touchscreen and image stabilization further elevate video usability.

Workflow, Connectivity & Storage

The Pentax W80 offers basic SD/SDHC card support, no wireless connectivity, and USB 2.0 transfer. Its lack of RAW support limits post-processing flexibility.

The RX100 VII features SD/SDHC/SDXC compatibility plus Memory Stick Pro Duo support, USB charging, HDMI output, Bluetooth and NFC wireless transfers, and crucially, full RAW support for professionals.

Battery and Price Considerations

The W80 weighs just 156 grams and uses a proprietary D-LI78 battery, but battery life is unspecified and generally limited given the era and chipsets. The RX100 VII, while heftier at 302 grams, offers 260 shots per charge, and can recharge via USB, more fitting for extended use.

From a cost perspective, the W80 is bargain-priced around $250 new, catering to budget users or outdoors casuals. The Sony RX100 VII is a premium $1300+ advanced compact, justifiable for enthusiasts seeking one-camera versatility and performance.

Taking It All In: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Pentax Optio W80 if:

• You need a tough, pocketable waterproof-style compact for casual outdoor snapshots.
• Budget is tight and image quality demands are modest.
• Macro close-ups at tiny distances intrigue you.
• Simplicity and splash resistance matter more than speed or low light quality.

Opt for the Sony RX100 VII if:

• Image quality, autofocus sophistication, and video capabilities are paramount.
• You shoot portraits, wildlife, sports, or street scenes requiring tracking AF and high burst fps.
• You want versatile zoom coverage with a fast lens in a compact body.
• RAW shooting, image stabilization, and electronic viewfinder enhance your workflow.
• You need a travel camera with excellent dynamic range and low-light prowess.

Final Thoughts

Having tested thousands of cameras, I find the contrast between the Pentax W80 and Sony RX100 VII illuminating. They aren’t really competitors in the strictest sense but rather represent two extremes of compact camera design philosophy and technological eras.

The W80’s rugged charm and simplicity appeal as a casual travel companion or backup camera, but falls short for valuable image quality and performance needs today.

The RX100 VII packs serious photographic firepower in a pocketable form, serving professionals and enthusiasts who want nearly DSLR-level capabilities without the bulk - it’s a camera I’ve recommended repeatedly for travel and street shooters. That said, the steep price and learning curve reflect that commitment.

If you’re in the market for a future-proof compact that handles demanding conditions and delivers stunning images, the RX100 VII is worth every penny. Meanwhile, if ease and affordability with some durability are your priorities, the W80 still has its niche.

I hope this detailed comparison helps you understand exactly what each camera can do and which better fits your photography journey. Feel free to check out my hands-on video reviews and sample galleries linked above for a more visual feel.

Happy shooting!