Canon S120 vs Pentax VS20
92 Imaging
37 Features
57 Overall
45


90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Canon S120 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F1.8-5.7) lens
- 217g - 100 x 59 x 29mm
- Announced November 2013
- Superseded the Canon S110
(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
- Introduced January 2012

Canon S120 vs Pentax VS20 Overview
Following is a complete review of the Canon S120 versus Pentax VS20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Canon and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the S120 (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the S120 (1/1.7") and VS20 (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.

The S120 was revealed 23 months after the VS20 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the S120 matches up versus the VS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Canon S120 vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot S120 and Pentax Optio VS20. The full galleries are provided at Canon S120 Gallery and Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon S120 over the Pentax VS20
S120 | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | November 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | More modern by 23 months |
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+462k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon S120
VS20 | S120 |
---|
Common features in the Canon S120 and Pentax VS20
S120 | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Canon S120 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Canon S120 enjoys exterior measurements of 100mm x 59mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 217 grams (0.48 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).
Analyze the Canon S120 versus Pentax VS20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the S120 vs the VS20.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the S120 and VS20 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Canon S120 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes only by viewing technical specs. The picture here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S120 and VS20.
As you have seen, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S120 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax VS20 will render greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern S120 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon S120 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon S120 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot S120 | Pentax Optio VS20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot S120 | Pentax Optio VS20 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2013-11-26 | 2012-01-25 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Digic 6 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor area | 41.5mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-120mm (5.0x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/1.8-5.7 | f/3.1-4.8 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 4.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 922k dot | 460k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display tech | TFT PureColor II G Touch screen LCD | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/2500 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 12.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | 2.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, on, slow synchro, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum 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 | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 217 gr (0.48 lb) | 235 gr (0.52 lb) |
Dimensions | 100 x 59 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 56 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.3 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.9 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 246 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 photos | - |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-6LH | D-LI122 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $449 | $106 |