Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


91 Imaging
43 Features
60 Overall
49
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Released February 2011
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 12800)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
- 245g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Launched March 2016

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Overview
In this article, we are analyzing the Pentax WG-1 versus Sony HX80, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the WG-1 (14MP) and HX80 (18MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The WG-1 was announced 6 years earlier than the HX80 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the WG-1 scores versus the HX80 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Optio WG-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax WG-1 Gallery and Sony HX80 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 over the Sony HX80
WG-1 | HX80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very precise focus |
Reasons to pick Sony HX80 over the Pentax WG-1
HX80 | WG-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | March 2016 | ![]() | February 2011 | Newer by 61 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Common features in the Pentax WG-1 and Sony HX80
WG-1 | HX80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch display | ![]() | Lack of Touch display |
Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Physical Comparison
For those who are aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax WG-1 offers external measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony HX80 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).
Contrast the Pentax WG-1 versus Sony HX80 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the WG-1 against the HX80.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the WG-1 and HX80 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by looking through specifications. The picture below might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the WG-1 and HX80.
To sum up, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Sony HX80 to provide you with more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged WG-1 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Specifications
Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio WG-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 |
Category | Waterproof | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2011-02-07 | 2016-03-07 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14MP | 18MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 4896 x 3672 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 24-720mm (30.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/3.5-6.4 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per sec | 10.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.90 m | 5.40 m (with Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, on, slow sync, off, rear sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
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) | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 157 grams (0.35 lb) | 245 grams (0.54 lb) |
Dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
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 life | 260 photos | 390 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick PRO Duo/Pro-HG Duo; SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $350 | $368 |