• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 175.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax WS80 advantages over Olympus SZ-31MR

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.69 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 39 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    125g vs 226g
    Lighter weight

Olympus SZ-31MR advantages over Pentax WS80

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.0 vs f/3.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 175 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 35 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 1.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung TL9

Pentax WS80
Samsung TL9
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer exposure
Olympus SZ-31MR
Samsung TL9
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $280
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon S60

Pentax WS80
Nikon S60
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
Olympus SZ-31MR
Nikon S60
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon S70

Pentax WS80
Nikon S70
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Wider angle lens
Olympus SZ-31MR
Nikon S70
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $257
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus SZ-30MR

Pentax WS80
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus SZ-30MR
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Pentax WS80
Olympus SZ-15
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture
Olympus SZ-31MR
Olympus SZ-15
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
Compare Other Cameras?