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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
28
Overall
31
Canon PowerShot SX120 IS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Canon SX120 IS
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-360mm (F2.8-4.3) lens
  • 285g - 111 x 71 x 45mm
  • Announced August 2009
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
  • Introduced January 2012
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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax VS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Canon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the SX120 IS (10MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the SX120 IS (1/2.5") and VS20 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The SX120 IS was manufactured 3 years prior to the VS20 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SX120 IS scores against the VS20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX120 IS over the Pentax VS20

 SX120 IS VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SX120 IS

 VS20 SX120 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2012August 2009More modern by 29 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax VS20

 SX120 IS VS20 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Canon SX120 IS has outside dimensions of 111mm x 71mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 285 grams (0.63 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Canon SX120 IS and Pentax VS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the SX120 IS and the VS20.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SX120 IS and VS20 is 87 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at technical specs. The picture below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SX120 IS and VS20.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SX120 IS featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax VS20 will give greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged SX120 IS is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Portrait photography advice
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography advice
33
has manual focus
high flash sync (1/500s)
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
36
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Canon SX120 IS
Street photography with Pentax VS20
51
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competition in class (285g)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Canon SX120 IS
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
26
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Travel photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
long reach (360mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (285g)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX120 IS Landscape photography advice
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
36
has manual focus
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
47
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX120 IS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
23
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (36mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
missing mic socket
heavier than competition in class (285 grams)
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
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Canon SX120 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX120 IS and Pentax VS20
 Canon PowerShot SX120 ISPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Pentax Optio VS20
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-08-19 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 36-360mm (10.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-4.3 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.00 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/500 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 160 x 120 (15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 285 grams (0.63 lbs) 235 grams (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 71 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 2 x AA D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $249 $106