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Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
27
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Canon SD960 IS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 145g - 98 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced February 2009
  • Alternate Name is Digital IXUS 110 IS
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
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Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Canon SD960 IS and Pentax VS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the SD960 IS (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SD960 IS was brought out 3 years prior to the VS20 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SD960 IS grades vs the VS20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Canon SD960 IS over the Pentax VS20

 SD960 IS VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SD960 IS

 VS20 SD960 IS 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2009More recent by 35 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display sizing3"2.8"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Pentax VS20

 SD960 IS VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Canon SD960 IS provides outer measurements of 98mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

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Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SD960 IS and the VS20.

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SD960 IS and VS20 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by looking through technical specs. The graphic below might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SD960 IS and VS20.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax VS20 to result in more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The older SD960 IS will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
26
has face detect focus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
36
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Street photography features
Pentax VS20 Street photography features
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon SD960 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Travel photography info
Pentax VS20 Travel photography info
58
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Landscape photography details
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography details
36
pretty wide (28mm)
nice screen size (2.8")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
47
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS Vlogging features
Pentax VS20 Vlogging features
30
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SD960 IS and Pentax VS20
 Canon PowerShot SD960 ISPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SD960 IS Pentax Optio VS20
Also called Digital IXUS 110 IS -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.8 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance 2cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.8 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2500s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 145 grams (0.32 pounds) 235 grams (0.52 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 54 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.1" x 0.9") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID NB-4L D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2, 10, Custom, Face) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC/MMCplus/HD /MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release - $106