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Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27
Pentax Optio WS80 front
 
Pentax WG-3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41

Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3 Key Specs

Pentax WS80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.8-4.7) lens
  • 125g - 92 x 60 x 22mm
  • Introduced August 2009
Pentax WG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 124 x 64 x 33mm
  • Revealed July 2013
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Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Pentax WS80 versus Pentax WG-3, both Waterproof digital cameras and both of them are created by Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the WS80 (10MP) and WG-3 (16MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The WS80 was introduced 5 years before the WG-3 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise view of how the WS80 grades against the WG-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Pentax WG-3

 WS80 WG-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-3 over the Pentax WS80

 WG-3 WS80 
RevealedJuly 2013August 2009Fresher by 48 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WS80 and Pentax WG-3

 WS80 WG-3 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax WS80 has got outer measurements of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") along with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax WG-3 has specifications of 124mm x 64mm x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs).

Compare the Pentax WS80 versus Pentax WG-3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the WS80 versus the WG-3.

Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WS80 and WG-3 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by checking technical specs. The visual below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the WS80 and WG-3.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax WG-3 to give you more detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The older WS80 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3 sensor size comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WS80 Portrait photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Portrait photography advice
26
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
41
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax WS80 Street photography info
Pentax WG-3 Street photography info
59
weather proof
lighter than average (125 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WS80 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-3 Sports photography highlights
23
weather proof
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
45
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (240 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WS80 Travel photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than average (125 grams)
weather proof
flash built-in
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
72
weather proofing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
not so great battery (240 CIPA)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WS80 Landscape photography advice
Pentax WG-3 Landscape photography advice
31
has manual focus
weather proof
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
54
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery (240 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WS80 Vlogging features
Pentax WG-3 Vlogging features
25
lighter than average (125 grams)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
36
fairly wide (25mm)
very good max aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have mic port
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Pentax WS80 vs Pentax WG-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WS80 and Pentax WG-3
 Pentax Optio WS80Pentax WG-3
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio WS80 Pentax WG-3
Type Waterproof Waterproof
Introduced 2009-08-05 2013-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime -
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 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 64 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-175mm (5.0x) 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.8-4.7 f/2.0-4.9
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 3.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 125 gr (0.28 pounds) 230 gr (0.51 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 124 x 64 x 33mm (4.9" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 240 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $220 $300