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Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
53
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix P310 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Nikon P310
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 194g - 103 x 58 x 32mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Old Model is Nikon P300
  • New Model is Nikon P330
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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Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Nikon P310 versus Pentax VS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the P310 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras provide the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The P310 was revealed 5 months after the VS20 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the P310 grades against the VS20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon P310 over the Pentax VS20

 P310 VS20 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Nikon P310

 VS20 P310 

Common features in the Nikon P310 and Pentax VS20

 P310 VS20 
LaunchedJune 2012January 2012Same age
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Nikon P310 features outer dimensions of 103mm x 58mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 194 grams (0.43 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

See the Nikon P310 versus Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the P310 versus the VS20.

Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the P310 and VS20 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out technical specs. The picture here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the P310 and VS20.

As you have seen, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of images although you would want to factor the age of the cameras into account.

Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P310 Portrait photography information
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography information
43
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
36
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon P310 Street photography information
Pentax VS20 Street photography information
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Nikon P310 Sports photography info
Pentax VS20 Sports photography info
48
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon P310 Travel photography features
Pentax VS20 Travel photography features
71
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition (235 grams)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon P310 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
54
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
47
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P310 Vlogging information
Pentax VS20 Vlogging information
36
decently wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Nikon P310 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P310 and Pentax VS20
 Nikon Coolpix P310Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix P310 Pentax Optio VS20
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-06-22 2012-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 99 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-100mm (4.2x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/1.8-4.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 2cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT-LCD with Anti-reflection coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow-sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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 (30fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120, 30fps) 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 MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 194g (0.43 lbs) 235g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 58 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 230 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI122
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $700 $106