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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Olympus SH-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Revealed March 2014
  • Updated by Olympus SH-2
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
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SH-1 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SH-1 was launched 2 years later than the VS20 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the SH-1 scores versus the VS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Pentax VS20

 SH-1 VS20 
LaunchedMarch 2014January 2012Fresher by 27 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Olympus SH-1

 VS20 SH-1 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Olympus SH-1 and Pentax VS20

 SH-1 VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Display resolution460k460kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus SH-1 features exterior dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the SH-1 vs the VS20.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SH-1 and VS20 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking technical specs. The graphic here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-1 and VS20.

As you can tell, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the identical MP so you should expect similar quality of pictures though you may want to factor the production date of the products into consideration. The newer SH-1 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
37
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
36
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Street photography features
Pentax VS20 Street photography features
64
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (271g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Sports photography factors
Pentax VS20 Sports photography factors
51
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
great battery power (380 shots)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Travel photography info
Pentax VS20 Travel photography info
74
great battery power (380 shots)
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
provides touch to focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
68
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
49
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
great battery power (380 per charge)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
47
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
37
pretty wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone jack
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-1 and Pentax VS20
 Olympus Stylus SH-1Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus SH-1 Pentax Optio VS20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2014-03-31 2012-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VII -
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 3
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance 3cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting speed 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 2.80 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 271 grams (0.60 lbs) 235 grams (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 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 380 shots -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $349 $106