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Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
65
Imaging
36
Features
55
Overall
43
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Canon SX50 HS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
  • 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
  • Introduced January 2013
  • Replaced the Canon SX40 HS
  • Updated by Canon SX60 HS
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
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Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the SX50 HS (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SX50 HS was announced 12 months after the VS20 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Canon SX50 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SX50 HS scores against the VS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Pentax VS20

 SX50 HS VS20 
LaunchedJanuary 2013January 2012Newer by 12 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SX50 HS

 VS20 SX50 HS 
Screen sizing3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Canon SX50 HS and Pentax VS20

 SX50 HS VS20 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Canon SX50 HS comes with outer measurements of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SX50 HS against the VS20.

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX50 HS and VS20 is 65 and 90 respectively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The picture here will help give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SX50 HS and VS20.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax VS20 to provide greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The newer SX50 HS will have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon SX50 HS as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
48
manual focus
high flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
36
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Canon SX50 HS as a Street photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Street photography camera
57
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
small sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (595g)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Sports photography factors
Pentax VS20 Sports photography factors
39
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Travel photography factors
Pentax VS20 Travel photography factors
53
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (595 grams)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
68
lighter than others (235 grams)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Landscape photography features
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography features
45
manual focus
really wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (2.8 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse mode
47
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX50 HS Vlogging information
Pentax VS20 Vlogging information
58
really wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (595g)
30
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic jack
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Canon SX50 HS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon SX50 HS and Pentax VS20
 Canon PowerShot SX50 HSPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Canon Pentax
Model type Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-15 2012-01-25
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 5 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.4-6.5 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 0cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.8 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 461 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 202 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 595 grams (1.31 pounds) 235 grams (0.52 pounds)
Dimensions 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 179 not tested
Other
Battery life 315 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID NB-10L D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) 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 $429 $106