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Nikon S33 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Nikon Coolpix S33 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Nikon S33 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Nikon S33
(Full Review)
  • 13MP - 1/3.1" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 30-90mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 221g - 110 x 66 x 27mm
  • Announced February 2015
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 S33 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Nikon S33 versus Pentax VS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the S33 (13MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is relatively close but the S33 (1/3.1") and VS20 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The S33 was introduced 3 years after the VS20 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the S33 grades vs the VS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S33 over the Pentax VS20

 S33 VS20 
LaunchedFebruary 2015January 2012More modern by 38 months

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Nikon S33

 VS20 S33 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Nikon S33 and Pentax VS20

 S33 VS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Nikon S33 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera often, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon S33 has got external dimensions of 110mm x 66mm x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has sizing 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 Nikon S33 versus Pentax VS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the S33 vs the VS20.

Nikon S33 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the S33 and VS20 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S33 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S33 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S33 and VS20.

As you can see, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S33 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax VS20 will render extra detail using its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern S33 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon S33 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S33 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S33 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S33 Portrait photography advice
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography advice
33
MP count good (13 megapixels)
provides face detect focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/3.1")
has no RAW files
36
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Nikon S33 Street photography factors
Pentax VS20 Street photography factors
58
image stabilization (Digital)
environment sealing
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/3.1")
has no RAW files
more heavy than competitors (221g)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S33 Sports photography information
Pentax VS20 Sports photography information
43
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (13MP)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.7 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/3.1")
has no phase detect auto focus
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S33 Travel photography info
Pentax VS20 Travel photography info
58
environment sealing
MP count good (13 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (221 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competition (235g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S33 Landscape photography information
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography information
36
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (13 megapixels)
environment sealing
no manual focus
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/3.1")
has no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
47
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S33 Vlogging information
Pentax VS20 Vlogging information
29
image stabilization (Digital)
provides face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
more heavy than competitors (221 grams)
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone support
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Nikon S33 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S33 and Pentax VS20
 Nikon Coolpix S33Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Coolpix S33 Pentax Optio VS20
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2015-02-10 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/3.1" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 4.7 x 3.5mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 16.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 13 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4160 x 3120 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 30-90mm (3.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 7.7 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.7 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.10 m (at Auto ISO) 2.80 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p), 320 x 240 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 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 221g (0.49 lbs) 235g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 66 x 27mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") 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 220 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL19 D-LI122
Self timer Yes (10 sec, smile timer) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $150 $106