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Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20

Portability
92
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56
Canon PowerShot G9 X front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Canon G9 X
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-84mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 209g - 98 x 58 x 31mm
  • Launched October 2015
  • New Model is Canon G9 X II
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
Photography Glossary

Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Canon G9 X versus Pentax VS20, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the G9 X (20MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the G9 X (1") and VS20 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The G9 X was manufactured 3 years later than the VS20 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the G9 X scores versus the VS20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Canon G9 X over the Pentax VS20

 G9 X VS20 
AnnouncedOctober 2015January 2012Fresher by 46 months
Screen resolution1040k460kSharper screen (+580k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon G9 X

 VS20 G9 X 

Common features in the Canon G9 X and Pentax VS20

 G9 X VS20 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon G9 X offers exterior measurements of 98mm x 58mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") and a weight of 209 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check the Canon G9 X versus Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the G9 X compared to the VS20.

Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G9 X and VS20 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing only by viewing specs. The visual below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the G9 X and VS20.

All in all, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The G9 X due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Canon G9 X will provide you with greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more recent G9 X provides a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon G9 X as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
64
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW files
cannot use external flash
36
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon G9 X Street photography features
Pentax VS20 Street photography features
80
image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
supports focus by touch
lighter than others in class (209g)
fixed screen
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon G9 X
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
54
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon G9 X Travel photography information
Pentax VS20 Travel photography information
77
lighter than others in class (209 grams)
supports focus by touch
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
terrible battery power (220 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition in class (235g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon G9 X
Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
70
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
terrible battery power (220 CIPA)
47
manual focus
really wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon G9 X
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
39
quite wide (28mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (209g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
30
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone jack
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Canon G9 X vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon G9 X and Pentax VS20
 Canon PowerShot G9 XPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot G9 X Pentax Optio VS20
Class Large Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-10-12 2012-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-84mm (3.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 2.7 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at Auto ISO) 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, on, slow synchro, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 209 gr (0.46 lb) 235 gr (0.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 58 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.2") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 63 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 495 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-13L D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $399 $106