Clicky

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
52
Imaging
43
Features
70
Overall
53
Nikon Coolpix P950 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Nikon P950
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-2000mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 1005g - 140 x 110 x 150mm
  • Launched January 2020
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
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the P950 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is pretty similar and both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The P950 was launched 8 years later than the VS20 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon P950 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the P950 grades versus the VS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon P950 over the Pentax VS20

 P950 VS20 
LaunchedJanuary 2020January 2012Fresher by 97 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Nikon P950

 VS20 P950 

Common features in the Nikon P950 and Pentax VS20

 P950 VS20 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon P950 has got physical measurements of 140mm x 110mm x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9") having a weight of 1005 grams (2.22 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Examine the Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the P950 versus the VS20.

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the P950 and VS20 is 52 and 90 respectively.

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the P950 and VS20.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the exact same resolution and you should expect similar quality of images though you might want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The newer P950 will have an edge in sensor innovation.

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon P950 Portrait photography factors
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography factors
57
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
36
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Nikon P950 Street photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Street photography highlights
53
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than others (1,005g)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Nikon P950 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
54
excellent zoom range (24-2000mm 83.3 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Nikon P950 Travel photography info
Pentax VS20 Travel photography info
59
connects via bluetooth
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (2000mm)
more heavy than others (1,005 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition (235g)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Nikon P950 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
55
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
47
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon P950 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
59
decently wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
does have microphone socket
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than others (1,005g)
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone port
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon P950 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon P950 and Pentax VS20
 Nikon Coolpix P950Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix P950 Pentax Optio VS20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2020-01-07 2012-01-25
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type 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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-2000mm (83.3x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.5 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 90% -
Features
Min shutter speed 300 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 11.50 m (at Auto ISO) 2.80 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, AAC 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB EN-EL20a lithium-ion battery & USB charger USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1005 gr (2.22 lbs) 235 gr (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 140 x 110 x 150mm (5.5" x 4.3" x 5.9") 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 290 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI122
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $797 $106