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Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
92
Imaging
40
Features
51
Overall
44
Nikon Coolpix S6500 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Nikon S6500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-300mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 250g - 95 x 58 x 26mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Pentax VS20
(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
  • Announced January 2012
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Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the S6500 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is very similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S6500 was unveiled 12 months later than the VS20 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the S6500 grades against the VS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S6500 over the Pentax VS20

 S6500 VS20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2012Fresher by 12 months

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Nikon S6500

 VS20 S6500 

Common features in the Nikon S6500 and Pentax VS20

 S6500 VS20 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Display resolution460k460kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon S6500 features physical measurements of 95mm x 58mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the S6500 vs the VS20.

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S6500 and VS20 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the S6500 and VS20.

Clearly, both the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution so you should expect similar quality of pictures although you really should take the release date of the products into consideration. The more recent S6500 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon S6500
Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
44
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
36
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon S6500
Street photography with Pentax VS20
62
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (250g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (235g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Nikon S6500 Sports photography features
Pentax VS20 Sports photography features
50
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S6500 Travel photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than competition (250g)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competitors in class (235g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
no Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S6500 Landscape photography advice
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
50
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
47
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S6500 Vlogging factors
Pentax VS20 Vlogging factors
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (250g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing mic jack
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (235g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
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Nikon S6500 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S6500 and Pentax VS20
 Nikon Coolpix S6500Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S6500 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-08 2012-01-25
Physical type 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech AMOLED display TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2500s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) 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 port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 250g (0.55 lb) 235g (0.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 58 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0") 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 model SLB-10A D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $170 $106