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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
89
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched January 2012
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
  • Introduced January 2012
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is pretty close and they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ-12 was unveiled at a similar time to the VS20 which means that they are of a similar age. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a full comparison, below is a simple view of how the SZ-12 scores versus the VS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax VS20

 SZ-12 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Olympus SZ-12

 VS20 SZ-12 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax VS20

 SZ-12 VS20 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2012Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Olympus SZ-12 has exterior measurements of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ-12 against the VS20.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-12 and VS20 is 89 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes purely by researching specs. The image below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-12 and VS20.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Pentax VS20 to result in extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs much more aggressively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography highlights
34
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
36
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Street photography highlights
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography details
Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
41
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (220 shots)
doesn't have phase detect AF
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography details
Pentax VS20 Travel photography details
65
lighter than competition in class (226 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (220 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than competitors (235g)
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
40
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
low battery pack (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
47
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging advice
Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
31
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (226g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
30
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax VS20
 Olympus SZ-12Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-12 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-10 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 3
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in 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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 gr (0.50 pounds) 235 gr (0.52 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 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 220 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-50B D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $350 $106