Clicky

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27
Pentax Optio WS80 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230 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 W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Revealed February 2009
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Pentax WS80 versus Sony W230, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the WS80 (10MP) and the W230 (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The WS80 was manufactured 6 months after the W230 so they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the WS80 grades vs the W230 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

        

Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Sony W230

 WS80 W230 

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax WS80

 W230 WS80 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax WS80 and Sony W230

 WS80 W230 
RevealedAugust 2009February 2009Similar age
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax WS80 provides 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 W230 has specifications of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax WS80 versus Sony W230 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the WS80 vs the W230.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the WS80 and W230 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading through technical specs. The picture here may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the WS80 and W230.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can anticipate the Sony W230 to resolve more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images way more aggressively.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WS80 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W230 as a Portrait photography camera
26
you can focus manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Pentax WS80 Street photography info
Sony W230 Street photography info
59
weather sealing
lighter than competition (125 grams)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Pentax WS80 Sports photography highlights
Sony W230 Sports photography highlights
23
weather sealing
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Pentax WS80 Travel photography advice
Sony W230 Travel photography advice
61
lighter than competition (125g)
weather sealing
built-in flash
resolution not great (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
51
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax WS80 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W230 as a Landscape photography camera
31
you can focus manually
weather sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
36
manual focus
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not available
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax WS80
Vlogging with Sony W230
25
lighter than competition (125g)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.8)
does not offer selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (30mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external microphone jack
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Pentax WS80 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WS80 and Sony W230
 Pentax Optio WS80Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio WS80 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Type Waterproof Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-08-05 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
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 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 64 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-175mm (5.0x) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.8-4.7 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focus range - 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 1 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.40 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lbs) 156 grams (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model D-LI68 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $220 $180