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Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27
Pentax Optio WS80 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
48
Features
45
Overall
46

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Pentax WS80
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-175mm (F3.8-4.7) lens
  • 125g - 92 x 60 x 22mm
  • Launched August 2009
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Released January 2008
  • Later Model is Sony A330
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Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the WS80 (10MP) and the A300 (10MP) is relatively similar but the WS80 (1/2.3") and A300 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The WS80 was introduced 19 months after the A300 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax WS80 being a Compact camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a in depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the WS80 scores vs the A300 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Sony A300

 WS80 A300 
ReleasedAugust 2009January 2008More modern by 19 months

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax WS80

 A300 WS80 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax WS80 and Sony A300

 WS80 A300 
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax WS80 provides external dimensions 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 Sony A300 has measurements of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the WS80 and the A300.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the WS80 and A300 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing technical specs. The pic here may offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the WS80 and A300.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The WS80 contains the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field trickier. The fresher WS80 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WS80 Portrait photography factors
Sony A300 Portrait photography factors
26
has manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
58
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low MP (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax WS80 as a Street photography camera
Sony A300 as a Street photography camera
59
environment proofing
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WS80 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A300 as a Sports photography camera
23
environment proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
54
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
low MP (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WS80 Travel photography features
Sony A300 Travel photography features
61
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
environment proofing
has built in flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
45
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WS80 Landscape photography information
Sony A300 Landscape photography information
31
has manual focus
environment proofing
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (10MP)
no Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WS80 Vlogging details
Sony A300 Vlogging details
25
lighter than average in class (125 grams)
wide angle not great (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
9
no video
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Pentax WS80 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WS80 and Sony A300
 Pentax Optio WS80Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio WS80 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-08-05 2008-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
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 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 35-175mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.8-4.7 -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125g (0.28 lb) 632g (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 538
Other
Battery ID D-LI68 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Compact Flash
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $220 $0