Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20
81 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36


90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs
(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
(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 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").

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.

Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX400 IS and Pentax Optio VS20. The complete galleries are provided at Canon SX400 IS Gallery and Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX400 IS over the Pentax VS20
SX400 IS | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | July 2014 | ![]() | January 2012 | More modern by 31 months |
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SX400 IS
VS20 | SX400 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX400 IS and Pentax VS20
SX400 IS | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX400 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX400 IS | Pentax 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 |