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Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
72
Imaging
39
Features
28
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix L820 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Nikon L820
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-675mm (F3.0-5.8) lens
  • 470g - 111 x 76 x 85mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon L810
  • Replacement is Nikon L830
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
  • Revealed January 2012
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Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Nikon L820 and Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the L820 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras have the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The L820 was brought out 13 months later than the VS20 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon L820 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the L820 matches up vs the VS20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon L820 over the Pentax VS20

 L820 VS20 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2012Fresher by 13 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Nikon L820

 VS20 L820 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Nikon L820 and Pentax VS20

 L820 VS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon L820 features physical dimensions of 111mm x 76mm x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") along with a weight of 470 grams (1.04 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon L820 and Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the L820 vs the VS20.

Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the L820 and VS20 is 72 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to imagine the difference in sensor sizing simply by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L820 and VS20.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of photos however you really should consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher L820 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon L820
Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
30
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
36
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon L820 Street photography details
Pentax VS20 Street photography details
38
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
heavier than others in class (470 grams)
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon L820
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
36
great zoom range (23-675mm 29.3 x zoom)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
56
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (23mm)
long zoom (675mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (470 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than competition (235g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon L820 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
36
rather wide (23mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
47
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon L820
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
24
rather wide (23mm)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of mic port
heavier than others in class (470g)
30
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Nikon L820 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon L820 and Pentax VS20
 Nikon Coolpix L820Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix L820 Pentax Optio VS20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2013-01-29 2012-01-25
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.16 x 4.62mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 3
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 23-675mm (29.3x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.0-5.8 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 2.80 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format - 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 470 gr (1.04 lbs) 235 gr (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 76 x 85mm (4.4" x 3.0" x 3.3") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 320 images -
Battery style AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI122
Self timer - Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $192 $106