Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax VS20
Portability
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
80 Imaging
39 Features
40 Overall
39
Portability
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs
Canon SX500 IS
(Full Review)
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 1600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-720mm (F3.4-5.8) lens
- 341g - 104 x 70 x 80mm
- Revealed August 2012
- Later Model is Canon SX510 HS
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
(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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Let's take a closer look at the Canon SX500 IS versus Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Canon and Pentax. The resolution of the SX500 IS (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modesThe SX500 IS was launched 7 months after the VS20 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the SX500 IS scores versus the VS20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Canon PowerShot SX500 IS & Pentax Optio VS20. The complete galleries are viewable at Canon SX500 IS Gallery & Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX500 IS over the Pentax VS20
| SX500 IS | VS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | August 2012 |  | January 2012 | Newer by 7 months |
| Display resolution | 461k |  | 460k | Crisper display (+1k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Canon SX500 IS
| VS20 | SX500 IS |
|---|
Common features in the Canon SX500 IS and Pentax VS20
| SX500 IS | VS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | Very accurate focusing | ||
| Display type | Fixed |  | Fixed | Fixed display |
| Display sizing | 3" |  | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
| Selfie screen |  | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
| Touch display |  | Neither offers Touch display |
Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison
If you are looking to travel with your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Canon SX500 IS offers exterior dimensions of 104mm x 70mm x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") having a weight of 341 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).
Look at the Canon SX500 IS versus Pentax VS20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SX500 IS vs the VS20.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SX500 IS and VS20 is 80 and 90 respectively.
Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading through technical specs. The pic underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX500 IS and VS20.
As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the identical resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of photographs though you might want to factor the age of the products into consideration. The fresher SX500 IS provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.
Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Canon SX500 IS Portrait photography info
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography info
has manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/1,600s)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography GlossaryStreet Comparison
Canon SX500 IS Street photography details
Pentax VS20 Street photography details
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Canon SX500 IS as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (195 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Canon SX500 IS Travel photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery (195 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
no Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Canon SX500 IS Landscape photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography highlights
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery (195 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging with Canon SX500 IS
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone socket
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Canon SX500 IS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
| Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Pentax Optio VS20 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Canon | Pentax |
| Model type | Canon PowerShot SX500 IS | Pentax Optio VS20 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
| Revealed | 2012-08-21 | 2012-01-25 |
| Physical type | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor 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 surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
| Maximum native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
| Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detection autofocus | ||
| Contract detection autofocus | ||
| Phase detection autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 1 | 3 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
| Highest aperture | f/3.4-5.8 | f/3.1-4.8 |
| Macro focusing range | 1cm | 3cm |
| Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
| Resolution of screen | 461 thousand dots | 460 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch function | ||
| Screen tech | TFT Color LCD | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 15 seconds | 4 seconds |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/2500 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0fps | 1.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Custom white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash distance | 5.00 m | 2.80 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AEB | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Fastest flash synchronize | 1/1600 seconds | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported 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) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
| Video format | H.264 | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone port | ||
| Headphone port | ||
| 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 | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 341 grams (0.75 pounds) | 235 grams (0.52 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 104 x 70 x 80mm (4.1" x 2.8" x 3.1") | 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 pictures | - |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery ID | NB-6L | D-LI122 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse shooting | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Price at release | $299 | $106 |