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Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
20
Overall
27
Pentax Optio WS80 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
85
Overall
67

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 Key Specs

Pentax WS80
(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
  • Revealed August 2009
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Superseded the Sony A55
  • Replacement is Sony A58
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Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the WS80 (10MP) and A57 (16MP) and the WS80 (1/2.3") and A57 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The WS80 was introduced 4 years prior to the A57 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax WS80 being a Compact camera and the Sony A57 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the WS80 matches up against the A57 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax WS80 over the Sony A57

 WS80 A57 

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Pentax WS80

 A57 WS80 
LaunchedSeptember 2012August 2009Newer by 37 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax WS80 and Sony A57

 WS80 A57 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax WS80 has external dimensions of 92mm x 60mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") having a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Sony A57 has proportions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") having a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the WS80 against the A57.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the WS80 and A57 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by going through a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the WS80 and A57.

Clearly, each of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The WS80 using its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Sony A57 will provide greater detail using its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged WS80 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax WS80 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A57 as a Portrait photography camera
26
focusing manually
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax WS80 Street photography information
Sony A57 Street photography information
59
weather proof
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
75
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax WS80 Sports photography info
Sony A57 Sports photography info
23
weather proof
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax WS80 Travel photography details
Sony A57 Travel photography details
61
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
weather proof
built-in flash
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.8)
66
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax WS80 Landscape photography factors
Sony A57 Landscape photography factors
31
focusing manually
weather proof
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
72
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax WS80 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A57 as a Vlogging camera
25
lighter than others in class (125 grams)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
76
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic jack
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Pentax WS80 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax WS80 and Sony A57
 Pentax Optio WS80Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio WS80 Sony SLT-A57
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-08-05 2012-09-13
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 35-175mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.8-4.7 -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.40 m 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 125g (0.28 pounds) 618g (1.36 pounds)
Physical dimensions 92 x 60 x 22mm (3.6" x 2.4" x 0.9") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life - 550 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI68 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $220 $1,000