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Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Canon PowerShot A2100 IS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Canon A2100 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-216mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 185g - 102 x 64 x 32mm
  • Released February 2009
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Announced January 2012
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Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Canon A2100 IS and Pentax VS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the A2100 IS (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The A2100 IS was announced 3 years earlier than the VS20 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the A2100 IS matches up against the VS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A2100 IS over the Pentax VS20

 A2100 IS VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon A2100 IS

 VS20 A2100 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2009More recent by 35 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon A2100 IS and Pentax VS20

 A2100 IS VS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Canon A2100 IS provides physical dimensions of 102mm x 64mm x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Canon A2100 IS and Pentax VS20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the A2100 IS against the VS20.

Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the A2100 IS and VS20 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to visualise the difference in sensor measurements just by going through technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the A2100 IS and VS20.

As you have seen, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax VS20 to show greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older A2100 IS will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Portrait photography information
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography information
26
supports face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
36
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A2100 IS as a Street photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Street photography camera
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Sports photography info
Pentax VS20 Sports photography info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A2100 IS
Travel photography with Pentax VS20
50
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Landscape photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography highlights
32
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
lack of manual mode
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
47
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon A2100 IS Vlogging advice
Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external mic jack
30
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
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Canon A2100 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A2100 IS and Pentax VS20
 Canon PowerShot A2100 ISPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot A2100 IS Pentax Optio VS20
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2009-02-18 2012-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
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 36-216mm (6.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.2-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus distance 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.50 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 metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 185g (0.41 lb) 235g (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 102 x 64 x 32mm (4.0" x 2.5" x 1.3") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $220 $106