• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 32.00mm - 95.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax E80 advantages over Canon SX30 IS

  • Less expensive
    $130 vs $430 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.68 vs 1.43 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 600 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    25 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    176g vs 615g
    Lighter weight

Canon SX30 IS advantages over Pentax E80

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 95 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 32 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.3 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/3200 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax E60

Pentax E80
Pentax E60
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $100
  • 1/2.33 inch
Canon SX30 IS
Pentax E60
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $100
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Fujifilm A170

Pentax E80
Fujifilm A170
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $95
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
Canon SX30 IS
Fujifilm A170
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $95
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Pentax E90

Pentax E80
Pentax E90
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
Canon SX30 IS
Pentax E90
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony HX100V

Pentax E80
Sony HX100V
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX100V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Wider angle lens
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Canon SX40 HS

Pentax E80
Canon SX40 HS
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX40 HS
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video
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