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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
  • Launched August 2012
  • Superseded the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Refreshed by Olympus SP-820UZ
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
  • Launched January 2012
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by companies Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SP-820UZ was manufactured 7 months later than the VS20 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the SP-820UZ scores versus the VS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Pentax VS20

 SP-820UZ VS20 
LaunchedAugust 2012January 2012More recent by 7 months

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 VS20 SP-820UZ 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax VS20

 SP-820UZ VS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-820UZ comes with physical measurements of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") along with a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has sizing of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the SP-820UZ and the VS20.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-820UZ and VS20 is 69 and 90 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements only by reviewing technical specs. The photograph underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SP-820UZ and VS20.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax VS20 to offer you more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent SP-820UZ should have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Portrait photography details
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography details
34
decent MP (14MP)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
36
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Street photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Street photography camera
37
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competitors (485g)
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
33
incredible zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent MP (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Travel photography with Pentax VS20
55
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (22mm)
great zoom (896mm)
missing Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (485g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
68
lighter than competition (235 grams)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Landscape photography information
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography information
35
pretty wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
47
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging details
Pentax VS20 Vlogging details
25
pretty wide (22mm)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.4)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (485g)
30
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax VS20
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Pentax Optio VS20
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-08-21 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type 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 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 3
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.4-5.7 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2500s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 15.00 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 485g (1.07 lbs) 235g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 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 - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $299 $106