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Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
91
Imaging
41
Features
46
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Olympus TG-870
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 221g - 113 x 64 x 28mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Superseded the Olympus TG-860
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 TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the TG-870 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The TG-870 was brought out 4 years after the VS20 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the TG-870 matches up against the VS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-870 over the Pentax VS20

 TG-870 VS20 
IntroducedJanuary 2016January 2012Newer by 49 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Olympus TG-870

 VS20 TG-870 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-870 and Pentax VS20

 TG-870 VS20 
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus TG-870 comes with exterior measurements of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") having a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the TG-870 and the VS20.

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-870 and VS20 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by looking at a spec sheet. The image here will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-870 and VS20.

Clearly, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical resolution therefore you can expect similar quality of images however you should factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The fresher TG-870 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography highlights
36
resolution is good (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
36
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-870
Street photography with Pentax VS20
65
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than competition in class (221g)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Sports photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Sports photography highlights
51
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
better than average battery pack (300 per charge)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Travel photography info
Pentax VS20 Travel photography info
69
better than average battery pack (300 shots)
weather proof
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (21mm)
heavier than competition in class (221g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than others (235 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Landscape photography information
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography information
50
decently wide (21mm)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
weather proof
better than average battery pack (300 shots)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
47
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-870 Vlogging information
Pentax VS20 Vlogging information
32
decently wide (21mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have external mic support
heavier than competition in class (221g)
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone port
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Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-870 and Pentax VS20
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2016-01-06 2012-01-25
Body design Ultracompact 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 21-105mm (5.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.7 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m (at ISO 1600) 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, fill flash, off, LED illuminator Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (60p) 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 MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 221 gr (0.49 pounds) 235 gr (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 64 x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") 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 300 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID Li-50B D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $280 $106