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Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
64
Imaging
37
Features
42
Overall
39
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Canon SX30 IS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-840mm (F2.7-5.8) lens
  • 601g - 123 x 92 x 108mm
  • Launched September 2010
  • Earlier Model is Canon SX20 IS
  • Renewed by Canon SX40 HS
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 SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Canon SX30 IS and Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX30 IS (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is very similar and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SX30 IS was released 16 months before the VS20 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX30 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SX30 IS grades vs the VS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX30 IS over the Pentax VS20

 SX30 IS VS20 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SX30 IS

 VS20 SX30 IS 
IntroducedJanuary 2012September 2010More modern by 16 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX30 IS and Pentax VS20

 SX30 IS VS20 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Touch display No Touch display

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX30 IS comes with outer dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") having a weight of 601 grams (1.32 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 SX30 IS and Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the SX30 IS vs the VS20.

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SX30 IS and VS20 is 64 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The picture here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SX30 IS and VS20.

As you can tell, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Pentax VS20 to deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged SX30 IS is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon SX30 IS
Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
42
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
36
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Street photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Street photography highlights
49
screen articulates
image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition in class (601 grams)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Sports photography information
Pentax VS20 Sports photography information
43
great zoom range (24-840mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Travel photography advice
Pentax VS20 Travel photography advice
58
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (840mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (601g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
68
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Landscape photography factors
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography factors
41
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
47
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX30 IS Vlogging advice
Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
50
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (601g)
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
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Canon SX30 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX30 IS and Pentax VS20
 Canon PowerShot SX30 ISPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX30 IS Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-09-14 2012-01-25
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Digic 4 -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
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 24-840mm (35.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.7-5.8 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance 0cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3200 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 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 format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 601 grams (1.32 lbs) 235 grams (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 123 x 92 x 108mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 4.3") 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 NB-7L D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMCplus/HC MMCplus SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $400 $106