Pentax Q vs Sony HX80: An Experienced Photographer’s Take on Small Sensor Cameras

When it comes to compact cameras that people can actually enjoy carrying around, two models that have carved out interesting niches are the Pentax Q, an iconic entry-level mirrorless from 2011, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX80, a 2016-era superzoom compact. Both cameras share the same 1/2.3" sensor size but cater to wildly different photography styles and user priorities.

Having spent many years testing hundreds of compact and mirrorless cameras, I want to share a detailed comparison based on hands-on experience, technical specs, and real-world usability. This article unpacks everything from sensor performance to ergonomics, autofocus, and which camera shines in diverse photography scenarios. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned enthusiast looking for a portable backup, I hope to give you clear, honest advice grounded in practical workflow and outcomes.

Let’s start with the basics you often overlook but matter: size, build, and ergonomics.

How These Cameras Feel in Your Hands: Tiny but Mighty?

Both cameras sport very small bodies but have distinctive designs. The Pentax Q adopts a rangefinder-style mirrorless presence, ultra-compact and almost toy-like at 180 grams with dimensions of 98x57x31 mm. It feels almost Nikon 1-ish in terms of scale, perfect for stashing inside a jacket pocket. The Sony HX80 is a compact superzoom, chunkier and heavier at 245g and 102x58x36 mm, owing mostly to its telescoping fixed lens.

Handling the Pentax Q, you’ll notice its minimalist button layout and lack of a viewfinder. This keeps the package lightweight but can make prolonged shooting slightly less intuitive if you’re used to a traditional DSLR/Mirrorless grip. Conversely, Sony HX80 includes a small electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage – a rare perk for this class. The HX80’s tilting screen and thumb grip help with steady shooting at odd angles.

Both have 3-inch LCDs but the HX80’s is sharper and tilts (more on that below). The Pentax Q’s fixed screen isn't touch-sensitive and more primitive but sufficient for basic framing.

If portability and ultra-lightweight are your priorities, Pentax Q’s size and weight beat the Sony HX80 - but if you want a bit more grip comfort and EVF flexibility, HX80 strikes a nice balance.

Sensor Size and Image Quality - Same Size, Different Results?

Both cameras use a 1/2.3" sensor measuring roughly 6.17x4.55 mm, very typical for compact cameras. That size does impose clear limitations on noise performance and dynamic range compared to APS-C or full-frame sensors. But how they use that sensor technology differs.

• Pentax Q’s 12 MP CMOS sensor includes an anti-aliasing filter and native ISO 125-6400 range, with some sensor-shift based stabilization.
• Sony HX80 packs an 18 MP BSI-CMOS sensor, delivering a higher resolution 4896x3672 max image size. Thanks to a newer sensor design and Bionz X processor, Sony claims better noise control and sharper outputs.

My own detailed pixel-peeping and test charts suggest the Sony HX80 provides noticeably cleaner images at ISO 400 and above, with less chroma noise and gently extended dynamic range (though not dramatically). Pentax Q’s images show more noise creeping in at ISO 800 and up, so it’s best used in good light.

Color depth in Pentax Q impresses with 20.2 bits on DxOMark, a surprisingly good result for such a tiny chip. However, Sony’s advanced sensor and software optimization generally produce more vibrant, true-to-life skin tones - a vital plus for portrait work.

Both cameras include an anti-aliasing filter, so resolving very fine detail is moderate, but the HX80's higher resolution image output can deliver subtly crisper landscapes or macro shots.

If you want the sharpest files for prints or cropping, HX80’s newer sensor technology is a clear winner, but Pentax Q offers respectable IQ for casual and creative shooters who value the smaller, interchangeable-lens system.

LCD Screens and User Interface: The Window to Your Creativity

Here is a fundamental difference: The HX80’s 3" LCD shines with a 921k-dot resolution and a tilting mechanism allowing low or high-angle shots. It’s also selfie-friendly, an underappreciated advantage for vloggers or casual shooters.

The Pentax Q has a fixed 3" TFT color LCD with a much lower 460k-dot resolution. It’s serviceable but can feel grainy in bright light or when scrutinizing fine details.

The HX80 also integrates an EVF, which can be a godsend outdoors or when you want to compose shots without screen glare.

Neither camera supports touchscreens, which feels a little dated in 2024, but their overall menus are straightforward enough for beginners yet offer enough manual exposure controls for enthusiasts.

If you prize a vibrant, flexible display for preview and framing, Sony’s tilting LCD and EVF combo is worth noting.

Autofocus and Performance: Hunting or Nail It?

Autofocus speed and reliability differentiate casual snaps from great candid captures.

• Pentax Q uses contrast-detection AF with 25 focus points, capable of continuous AF but limited by older firmware and processing. There is no face or eye detection.
• Sony HX80 features a contrast-detection AF system augmented by face detection and live view AF with tracking capability; it doesn’t have phase-detection AF but is optimized for fast focusing on the small sensor.

I tested the continuous autofocus in daylight on both models - HX80 consistently nailed focus faster and more reliably, especially on moving subjects like kids or pets. Pentax Q's autofocus is sluggish and prone to hunting in low contrast conditions. The HX80 also offers a 10 fps burst mode, whereas the Pentax Q can only manage 2fps, a huge factor if you shoot sports or wildlife.

The HX80’s autofocus performance aligns better with spontaneous shooting and subjects that won’t sit still.

Lens Selection and Flexibility: Fixed vs Interchangeable?

One of the biggest choices: the Pentax Q has an interchangeable lens mount supporting 8 different lenses ranging from ultra-wide primes to telephoto zooms (keeping in mind the focal length multiplier of around 5.8x due to the sensor size), while the Sony HX80 relies on a fixed 24-720mm (35mm equiv) 30x optical zoom lens.

Lens ecosystems define creative scope:

• The Pentax Q allows manual focus, aperture control on lenses, and offers a more tactile, traditional photographic experience. The small sensor means you need lenses with longer focal lengths to reach telephoto ranges but you can add specialty primes for macro or artistic bokeh.
• The HX80’s zoom lens covers a huge focal range, impressively from wide-angle 24mm to super-telephoto 720mm, making it a one-stop travel or all-purpose camera. However, zoom lenses at these ranges often suffer from moderate image softness and slower apertures (f/3.5-6.4), limiting performance in dim light.

In the field, I found the zoom flexibility of the HX80 unbeatable for travel, wildlife glimpses, or street shooting without gear swapping. Yet the Pentax Q’s swap-ability shines in studio, macro, and creative controlled scenarios.

Image Stabilization and Low Light Handling: Can They Keep Up?

Both cameras offer image stabilization, crucial for handheld shooting in tricky light.

• The Pentax Q employs sensor-based stabilization, which actively shifts the sensor to compensate for shake, a stellar advantage in a tiny camera without optical stabilization lenses.
• The Sony HX80 uses optical stabilization embedded in its lens, designed to minimize blur especially at long zoom lengths.

In real terms, both systems help deliver sharper photos up to around 1/30s shutter speeds handheld. However, I noticed the Pentax Q's sensor stabilization was more noticeable in macro or close-up shots where tiny hand movements matter most.

Regarding ISO performance, the HX80 reaches a max native ISO of 3200 (boost up to 12800), better tuned for night or indoor shooting. The Pentax Q maxes at ISO 6400 but tends to produce noisier images at ISO 800 and above.

Neither camera excels in extreme low light, so using a tripod or flash is advisable beyond ISO 1600.

Video Recording: Basic, But What Can They Do?

Both cameras record 1080p video but differ in frame rate and codec options.

• Pentax Q supports 1080p at 30fps, encoding in MPEG-4 and H.264 with manual exposure control during capture.
• Sony HX80 pushes 1080p at multiple frame rates up to 60fps, plus 720p and lower resolutions. It records in MPEG-4, AVCHD, and XAVC S format for better compression quality.

Neither camera offers external microphone ports or 4K filming capabilities - common limits in this category. However, the HX80’s higher fps options and better video processor help produce smoother, more professional-looking clips.

For casual video, both are fine, but serious videographers will feel the lack of manual audio inputs or 4K resolution constraining.

Battery Life and Connectivity for Travel or Daily Use

If you’re the type who uses a camera all day, battery endurance and connectivity count.

• Pentax Q’s D-LI68 battery offers around 230 shots per charge, modest at best.
• Sony HX80’s NP-BX1 battery delivers nearly 390 shots on a charge, a welcome improvement.

The HX80 has integrated Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity for easy transfers and remote control with smartphones - huge conveniences in today’s sharing culture. The Pentax Q offers none of these features.

Sample Images and Comparison in the Field

Pentax Q front Pentax Q screen back Sony HX80 front Sony HX80 screen back

Looking at identical scenes side by side clarifies performance:

• Portraits from HX80 display richer colors, smoother bokeh (especially at wide apertures), and better eye/face detection accuracy.
• Pentax Q portraits are softer with more noise in shadows but have an appealing, vintage-like digital character when paired with the right lenses.
• Landscapes show more detail and dynamic range in HX80’s 18MP files, although the Q’s files have nice color depth.
• Wildlife shots benefit from HX80’s faster autofocus and longer zoom, while Q struggles due to its limited burst speed.
• Street photography is a toss-up; Q feels more discrete and pocketable but slower to react; HX80 is faster but slightly bulkier.
• Macro shots favor the Q when using dedicated lenses.
• Night and astro shots both require care and tripods for best results; HX80’s higher ISO handling affords more handheld flexibility.
• Video clips from HX80 look more stable and feature smoother motion.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Neither Weather-Proof, But What Else?

Both cameras lack any environmental sealing or ruggedness features. They're best kept dry and protected.

Build-wise, the Pentax Q feels plastic but solid for its size, with well-placed dials. The Sony HX80’s compact chassis is sturdier, with a more ergonomic grip.

Price to Performance: What’s the Better Deal?

• The Pentax Q currently hovers around $695, reflecting its older tech and niche appeal for interchangeable lens beginners.
• The Sony HX80 is approximately $368, offering better zoom, image quality, and features for less money.

From a purely cost-to-capability angle, the HX80 is a bargain, especially for travelers and casual shooters wanting a versatile all-in-one.

Scoring the Cameras and Recommendations by Genre

Based on my extensive testing data and user feedback, here are ratings out of 100 for core photography styles:

Who Should Buy the Pentax Q?

• Enthusiasts who want a small, fun, interchangeable lens system with manual controls.
• Photographers fascinated by unique crop factor and lens choices.
• Macro shooters who value sensor stabilization and specialized primes.
• Collectors or creative types appreciating Pentax’s distinctive style.

Limitations include slower autofocus, lower resolution, and fewer modern conveniences. If you value size and a tactile experience over outright speed and zoom range, Pentax Q can be delightful.

Who Should Choose the Sony HX80?

• Casual photographers or travelers wanting a powerful zoom with excellent autofocus and video.
• Those who prioritize convenience, connectivity, and flexibility in a single pocket camera.
• Street shooters who benefit from the EVF and tilting screen for versatile composition.
• Anyone seeking better overall image quality, especially outdoors and in moderate low light.

The HX80 is a well-rounded choice at an affordable price, perfect for everyday snapshots and trips where carrying multiple lenses is impractical.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras, Different Missions

Choosing between the Pentax Q and Sony HX80 comes down to your photographic priorities. The Pentax Q is a compact creative tool for those who want to experiment with lenses and manual operation within a tiny footprint but accept some compromises in autofocus and image resolution. The Sony HX80 is a versatile, user-friendly superzoom designed to cover wide zoom ranges, faster performance, and convenient zoom flexibility - a true Swiss Army knife compact.

In 2024, both cameras show their age, especially compared to recent mirrorless and smartphone cameras with larger sensors and 4K video. But for budget buyers or those seeking ultra compact options with distinct features, they remain worthy contenders.

Don’t underestimate how much sensor technology and AF algorithms have improved since these models launched; still, they can serve well as backup cameras or for casual use.

My recommendation: Try to handle both in store if possible. Ask yourself - do you want the joy of swapping lenses or the ease of a massive zoom? Both can produce pleasing images…but your style of shooting will make the difference.

I hope this thorough comparison helps you discover which camera fits your photography goals best! Feel free to ask any questions or share your experience with either model below. Happy shooting!