Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500
95 Imaging
33 Features
20 Overall
27


63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Introduced August 2009
- Renewed by Sony A560

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 Overview
On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax WS80 versus Sony A500, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the WS80 (10MP) and the A500 (12MP) is pretty close but the WS80 (1/2.3") and A500 (APS-C) have totally different sensor dimensions.

The WS80 was revealed at a similar time to the A500 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax WS80 being a Compact camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the WS80 scores versus the A500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio WS80 and Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The full galleries are available at Pentax WS80 Gallery and Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Sony A500
WS80 | A500 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax WS80
A500 | WS80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Common features in the Pentax WS80 and Sony A500
WS80 | A500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2009 | ![]() | August 2009 | Same generation |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 230k | Same screen resolution |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | No Touch friendly screen |
Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WS80 enjoys exterior dimensions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony A500 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
See the Pentax WS80 versus Sony A500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the WS80 and the A500.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WS80 and A500 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Normally, its tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing specs. The pic below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the WS80 and A500.
All in all, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The WS80 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A500 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs more aggressively.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 Specifications
Pentax Optio WS80 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio WS80 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
Class | Waterproof | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2009-08-05 | 2009-08-27 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Prime | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4272 x 2848 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 200 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
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 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 35-175mm (5.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.8-4.7 | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Max shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.40 m | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
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) | - |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | - |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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) | 630g (1.39 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 64 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 772 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 520 pictures |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI68 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $220 | $638 |