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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Nikon Coolpix S9700 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Nikon S9700
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-750mm (F3.7-6.4) lens
  • 232g - 110 x 64 x 35mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Previous Model is Nikon S9500
  • Newer Model is Nikon S9900
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 S9700 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Nikon S9700 and Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S9700 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S9700 was launched 2 years after the VS20 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the S9700 scores versus the VS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon S9700 over the Pentax VS20

 S9700 VS20 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014January 2012Newer by 25 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Nikon S9700

 VS20 S9700 
Manual focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Nikon S9700 and Pentax VS20

 S9700 VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and size. The Nikon S9700 has outer measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has specifications 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 S9700 and Pentax VS20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the S9700 against the VS20.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S9700 and VS20 is 90 and 90 respectively.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The picture below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S9700 and VS20.

As you have seen, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same resolution so you should expect similar quality of photos though you may want to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The more recent S9700 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon S9700 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
37
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
36
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Nikon S9700 Street photography info
Pentax VS20 Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (232g)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon S9700
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
53
long zoom range (25-750mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon S9700 Travel photography factors
Pentax VS20 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competition (232 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (750mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
68
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
45
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
47
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon S9700 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
34
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (232 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.7)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing external mic support
30
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Nikon S9700 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon S9700 and Pentax VS20
 Nikon Coolpix S9700Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Coolpix S9700 Pentax Optio VS20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-02-07 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 surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 99 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-750mm (30.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.7-6.4 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m 2.80 m
Flash options TTL auto flash with monitor preflashes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30/25p, 60/50i) 1280 x 720 (60/50/30/25/15/12.5p) 960 x 540 (30/25p) 640 x 480 (120/30/25p) 320 x 240 (240p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 232g (0.51 pounds) 235g (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.4") 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 300 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL12 D-LI122
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $350 $106