Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax VS20
93 Imaging
34 Features
17 Overall
27


90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F2.7-5.6) lens
- 150g - 95 x 62 x 31mm
- Revealed February 2009
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
- 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
- Revealed January 2012

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Overview
In this article, we are comparing the Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax VS20, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the A1100 IS (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The A1100 IS was brought out 3 years prior to the VS20 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summary of how the A1100 IS matches up versus the VS20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot A1100 IS & Pentax Optio VS20. The entire galleries are available at Canon A1100 IS Gallery & Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon A1100 IS over the Pentax VS20
A1100 IS | VS20 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon A1100 IS
VS20 | A1100 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 35 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 115k | Clearer display (+345k dot) |
Common features in the Canon A1100 IS and Pentax VS20
A1100 IS | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Missing Touch display |
Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon A1100 IS has got outer measurements of 95mm x 62mm x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).
See the Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the A1100 IS vs the VS20.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the A1100 IS and VS20 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements merely by going through specifications. The photograph underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the A1100 IS and VS20.
To sum up, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can anticipate the Pentax VS20 to provide more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The older A1100 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A1100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot A1100 IS | Pentax Optio VS20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Pentax |
Model | Canon PowerShot A1100 IS | Pentax Optio VS20 |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Revealed | 2009-02-18 | 2012-01-25 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Digic 4 | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 35-140mm (4.0x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.7-5.6 | f/3.1-4.8 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.5" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 115 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (tunnel) | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 secs | 4 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/2500 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | 2.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 640x480 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 150 grams (0.33 pounds) | 235 grams (0.52 pounds) |
Dimensions | 95 x 62 x 31mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") | 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery model | 2 x AA | D-LI122 |
Self timer | Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $160 | $106 |