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Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27
Pentax Optio WS80 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 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 A500
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Sony A500

 WS80 A500 

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax WS80

 A500 WS80 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax WS80 and Sony A500

 WS80 A500 
IntroducedAugust 2009August 2009Same generation
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen resolution230k230kSame 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 size comparison

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

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax WS80
Portrait photography with Sony A500
26
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax WS80 Street photography highlights
Sony A500 Street photography highlights
59
environment proof
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax WS80 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A500 as a Sports photography camera
23
environment proof
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
51
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WS80
Travel photography with Sony A500
61
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
environment proof
has built in flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
43
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (520 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WS80 Landscape photography advice
Sony A500 Landscape photography advice
31
focusing manually
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (520 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WS80 Vlogging info
Sony A500 Vlogging info
25
lighter than competitors in class (125 grams)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax WS80 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WS80 and Sony A500
 Pentax Optio WS80Sony 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