Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX7V
95 Imaging
33 Features
20 Overall
27


92 Imaging
39 Features
37 Overall
38
Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX7V Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
- Released July 2011

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX7V Overview
In this write-up, we are looking at the Pentax WS80 versus Sony HX7V, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the WS80 (10MP) and HX7V (16MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The WS80 was revealed 23 months prior to the HX7V making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summation of how the WS80 grades against the HX7V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX7V Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Optio WS80 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V. The full galleries are viewable at Pentax WS80 Gallery & Sony HX7V Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Sony HX7V
WS80 | HX7V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus |
Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Pentax WS80
HX7V | WS80 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2011 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 23 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax WS80 and Sony HX7V
WS80 | HX7V | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Lack of Touch friendly display |
Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison
If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax WS80 comes with outside measurements of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony HX7V has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).
Compare the Pentax WS80 versus Sony HX7V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the WS80 versus the HX7V.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the WS80 and HX7V is 95 and 92 respectively.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor dimensions only by checking specs. The image underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the WS80 and HX7V.
As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Sony HX7V to give you extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged WS80 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony HX7V Specifications
Pentax Optio WS80 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio WS80 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2009-08-05 | 2011-07-19 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | 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 area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 64 | 125 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 35-175mm (5.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.8-4.7 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | - | XtraFine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shutter speed | 1.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.40 m | 4.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone 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 | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 125g (0.28 pounds) | 208g (0.46 pounds) |
Dimensions | 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") | 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 ID | D-LI68 | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $220 | $499 |