Clicky

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27
Pentax Optio WS80 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V 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
  • Announced August 2009
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2012
  • Previous Model is Sony HX20V
  • Replacement is Sony HX50V
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Pentax WS80 versus Sony HX30V, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the resolutions of the WS80 (10MP) and HX30V (18MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The WS80 was revealed 3 years earlier than the HX30V which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the WS80 grades against the HX30V in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Sony HX30V

 WS80 HX30V 

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Pentax WS80

 HX30V WS80 
LaunchedFebruary 2012August 2009Newer by 31 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax WS80 and Sony HX30V

 WS80 HX30V 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax WS80 has got external measurements of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Pentax WS80 versus Sony HX30V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the WS80 and the HX30V.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the WS80 and HX30V is 95 and 90 respectively.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions just by reading through specifications. The image underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the WS80 and HX30V.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony HX30V to give more detail because of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged WS80 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WS80 Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX30V Portrait photography highlights
26
manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
45
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Pentax WS80 Street photography features
Sony HX30V Street photography features
59
environment proof
lighter than average (125 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (254 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Pentax WS80 Sports photography factors
Sony HX30V Sports photography factors
23
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
49
excellent zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
offers tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax WS80
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
61
lighter than average (125g)
environment proof
flash built-in
low resolution (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
69
lighter than average (254g)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
great reach (500mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax WS80
Landscape photography with Sony HX30V
31
manual focus
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
50
you can focus manually
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WS80 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX30V as a Vlogging camera
25
lighter than average (125g)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.8)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
34
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (254g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WS80 and Sony HX30V
 Pentax Optio WS80Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio WS80 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Class Waterproof Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-08-05 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Prime BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 35-175mm (5.0x) 25-500mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.8-4.7 f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.40 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 gr (0.28 lbs) 254 gr (0.56 lbs)
Dimensions 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
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 - 320 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI68 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $220 $420