Nikon L830 vs Pentax VS20
71 Imaging
40 Features
45 Overall
42


90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Nikon L830 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 23-765mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
- 508g - 110 x 76 x 91mm
- Announced January 2014
- Replaced the Nikon L820
- Refreshed by Nikon L840
(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
- Released January 2012

Nikon L830 vs Pentax VS20 Overview
In this write-up, we are reviewing the Nikon L830 vs Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the L830 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is very well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

The L830 was introduced 24 months after the VS20 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon L830 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.
Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the L830 scores versus the VS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Nikon L830 vs Pentax VS20 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon Coolpix L830 & Pentax Optio VS20. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon L830 Gallery & Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon L830 over the Pentax VS20
L830 | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2014 | ![]() | January 2012 | More modern by 24 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Nikon L830
VS20 | L830 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus |
Common features in the Nikon L830 and Pentax VS20
L830 | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither features Touch display |
Nikon L830 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon L830 enjoys external dimensions of 110mm x 76mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.6") and a weight of 508 grams (1.12 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).
See the Nikon L830 vs Pentax VS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the L830 and the VS20.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the L830 and VS20 is 71 and 90 respectively.

Nikon L830 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by checking technical specs. The pic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the L830 and VS20.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same exact resolution so you can expect similar quality of photos but you may want to take the launch date of the products into consideration. The newer L830 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon L830 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon L830 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications
Nikon Coolpix L830 | Pentax Optio VS20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon Coolpix L830 | Pentax Optio VS20 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2014-01-07 | 2012-01-25 |
Physical type | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | 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 | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4608 x 3456 |
Maximum native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 125 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 3 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 23-765mm (33.3x) | 28-560mm (20.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-5.9 | f/3.1-4.8 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 3cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 921k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1500 seconds | 1/2500 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 7.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 9.00 m (Auto ISO) | 2.80 m |
Flash options | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p), 1280 x 960 (30p), 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 file format | - | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 508 grams (1.12 pounds) | 235 grams (0.52 pounds) |
Dimensions | 110 x 76 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.0" x 3.6") | 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 | 390 photos | - |
Style of battery | AA | - |
Battery ID | - | D-LI122 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SC/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $300 | $106 |