Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20
95 Imaging
34 Features
27 Overall
31


90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SD960 IS and Pentax Optio VS20. The entire galleries are available at Canon SD960 IS Gallery and Pentax VS20 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2012 | ![]() | February 2009 | More recent by 35 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SD960 IS and Pentax VS20
SD960 IS | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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).
See the Canon SD960 IS and Pentax VS20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SD960 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SD960 IS | Pentax 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 |