• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 32.00mm - 95.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Pentax E80 advantages over Sony A57

  • Less expensive
    $130 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    25 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner

Sony A57 advantages over Pentax E80

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.82 vs 1.68 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 0.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • 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
Sony A57
Pentax E60
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $100
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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
Sony A57
Fujifilm A170
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $95
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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
Sony A57
Pentax E90
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $100
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax E80
Nikon D5100
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony A57
Nikon D5100
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $650
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax E80
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $130
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A57
Pentax K-5 IIs
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $497
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
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