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Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
81
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Canon PowerShot SX400 IS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Canon SX400 IS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
  • 313g - 104 x 69 x 80mm
  • Launched July 2014
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 SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Canon SX400 IS versus Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Canon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SX400 IS (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX400 IS was released 2 years after the VS20 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the SX400 IS grades versus the VS20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Pentax VS20

 SX400 IS VS20 
AnnouncedJuly 2014January 2012More modern by 31 months

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SX400 IS

 VS20 SX400 IS 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Canon SX400 IS and Pentax VS20

 SX400 IS VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX400 IS provides physical measurements of 104mm x 69mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") and a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Canon SX400 IS versus Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the SX400 IS versus the VS20.

Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the SX400 IS and VS20 is 81 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes merely by checking out technical specs. The picture underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX400 IS and VS20.

As you can tell, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the exact same megapixels so you should expect comparable quality of pictures though you have to consider the release date of the cameras into account. The fresher SX400 IS will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX400 IS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
36
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
36
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Street photography info
Pentax VS20 Street photography info
52
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Sports photography factors
Pentax VS20 Sports photography factors
42
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (190 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Travel photography factors
Pentax VS20 Travel photography factors
60
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery power (190 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
68
lighter than average in class (235g)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Landscape photography features
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography features
41
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery power (190 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
47
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX400 IS Vlogging info
Pentax VS20 Vlogging info
28
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection autofocus
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
30
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
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Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX400 IS and Pentax VS20
 Canon PowerShot SX400 ISPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model Canon PowerShot SX400 IS Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-07-29 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4+ -
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.8 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, on, off, slow synchro 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 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 313g (0.69 lbs) 235g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 104 x 69 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.1") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 190 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model NB-11LH D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $229 $106