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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot A3500 IS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Canon A3500 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 135g - 98 x 56 x 20mm
  • Released January 2013
Pentax VS20
(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
  • Announced January 2012
Photography Glossary

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Canon A3500 IS versus Pentax VS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the A3500 IS (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The A3500 IS was released 12 months later than the VS20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the A3500 IS matches up versus the VS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon A3500 IS over the Pentax VS20

 A3500 IS VS20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2012More recent by 12 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon A3500 IS

 VS20 A3500 IS 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon A3500 IS and Pentax VS20

 A3500 IS VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Canon A3500 IS provides physical measurements of 98mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 135 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Analyze the Canon A3500 IS versus Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the A3500 IS versus the VS20.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the A3500 IS and VS20 is 96 and 90 respectively.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing technical specs. The graphic here may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the A3500 IS and VS20.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos though you will need to factor the production date of the cameras into account. The newer A3500 IS will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Portrait photography information
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography information
34
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
36
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Street photography info
Pentax VS20 Street photography info
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
has touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon A3500 IS
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (200 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Travel photography details
Pentax VS20 Travel photography details
68
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
has touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
low battery (200 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition in class (235g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon A3500 IS Landscape photography info
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography info
41
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
low battery (200 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
47
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon A3500 IS
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
34
quite wide (28mm)
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (135 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone port
30
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Canon A3500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A3500 IS and Pentax VS20
 Canon PowerShot A3500 ISPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot A3500 IS Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2013-01-07 2012-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by DIGIC 4 -
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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 135 grams (0.30 lbs) 235 grams (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 56 x 20mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 life 200 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11L D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $115 $106