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Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
77
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Olympus E-420 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Olympus E-420
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 130 x 91 x 53mm
  • Introduced June 2008
  • Replaced the Olympus E-410
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
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus E-420 versus Pentax VS20, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-420 (10MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the E-420 (Four Thirds) and VS20 (1/2.3") have different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The E-420 was revealed 4 years before the VS20 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-420 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the E-420 matches up against the VS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-420 over the Pentax VS20

 E-420 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Olympus E-420

 VS20 E-420 
IntroducedJanuary 2012June 2008Newer by 43 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-420 and Pentax VS20

 E-420 VS20 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-420 offers exterior dimensions of 130mm x 91mm x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") having a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst 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).

Compare the Olympus E-420 versus Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the E-420 and the VS20.

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-420 and VS20 is 77 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions merely by seeing technical specs. The image underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-420 and VS20.

As you can tell, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-420 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax VS20 will show greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-420 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
56
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-420
Street photography with Pentax VS20
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (426g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-420 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
low battery power (500 per charge)
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-420 Travel photography features
Pentax VS20 Travel photography features
52
lighter than others (426g)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low battery power (500 CIPA)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-420
Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
47
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (10MP)
low battery power (500 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
47
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-420 Vlogging factors
Pentax VS20 Vlogging factors
9
no video
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
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Olympus E-420 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-420 and Pentax VS20
 Olympus E-420Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-420 Pentax Optio VS20
Class Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2008-06-23 2012-01-25
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 3 3
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2500s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 426g (0.94 pounds) 235g (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 91 x 53mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.1") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 527 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $999 $106