Clicky

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio WG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
60
Overall
49

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Key Specs

Pentax WG-1
(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
Sony HX80
(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
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

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").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

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.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

        

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 
LaunchedMarch 2016February 2011Newer by 61 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 size comparison

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

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WG-1
Portrait photography with Sony HX80
35
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
39
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
provides face detection focus
no manual focus
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Street photography info
Sony HX80 Street photography info
54
weather proofing
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
69
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (245 grams)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Sports photography features
Sony HX80 Sports photography features
37
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
57
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery life (390 shots)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Travel photography features
Sony HX80 Travel photography features
71
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
76
good battery life (390 shots)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
slow max aperture (f3.5)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX80 Landscape photography highlights
42
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
weather proofing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
49
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18MP)
good battery life (390 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WG-1 Vlogging details
Sony HX80 Vlogging details
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
75
pretty wide (24mm)
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (245g)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
missing external mic port
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Pentax WG-1 vs Sony HX80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WG-1 and Sony HX80
 Pentax Optio WG-1Sony 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