Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax VS20
80 Imaging
46 Features
34 Overall
41


90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-1008mm (F3.5-6.6) lens
- 325g - 104 x 69 x 85mm
- Launched January 2016
(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
- Launched January 2012

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax VS20 Overview
On this page, we are evaluating the Canon SX420 IS and Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the SX420 IS (20MP) and VS20 (16MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX420 IS was brought out 4 years after the VS20 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Canon SX420 IS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.
Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the SX420 IS scores versus the VS20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX420 IS & Pentax Optio VS20. The entire galleries are available at Canon SX420 IS Gallery & Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX420 IS over the Pentax VS20
SX420 IS | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2016 | ![]() | January 2012 | Newer by 49 months |
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SX420 IS
VS20 | SX420 IS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Common features in the Canon SX420 IS and Pentax VS20
SX420 IS | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither contains Touch friendly display |
Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Canon SX420 IS has got physical dimensions of 104mm x 69mm x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).
Check the Canon SX420 IS and Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the SX420 IS and the VS20.

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SX420 IS and VS20 is 80 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, its hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing a spec sheet. The pic underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX420 IS and VS20.
As you can see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Canon SX420 IS to provide extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The newer SX420 IS will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX420 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Pentax Optio VS20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Canon | Pentax |
Model type | Canon PowerShot SX420 IS | Pentax Optio VS20 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2016-01-05 | 2012-01-25 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 5152 x 3864 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-1008mm (42.0x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.5-6.6 | f/3.1-4.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 0cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 230 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | - | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 4s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/2500s |
Continuous shutter speed | 0.5 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 2.80 m |
Flash settings | Auto, flash on, slow synchro, flash off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (25p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 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 | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 325g (0.72 lb) | 235g (0.52 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 69 x 85mm (4.1" x 2.7" x 3.3") | 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 life | 195 images | - |
Battery form | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | NB-11LH | D-LI122 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at release | $299 | $106 |