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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20

Portability
85
Imaging
37
Features
67
Overall
49
Olympus XZ-2 iHS front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-2 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 346g - 113 x 65 x 48mm
  • Released December 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
  • Revealed January 2012
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Pentax VS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Olympus and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and VS20 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The XZ-2 iHS was unveiled 11 months later than the VS20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the XZ-2 iHS grades against the VS20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-2 iHS over the Pentax VS20

 XZ-2 iHS VS20 
RevealedDecember 2012January 2012More recent by 11 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution920k460kSharper screen (+460k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Olympus XZ-2 iHS

 VS20 XZ-2 iHS 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Pentax VS20

 XZ-2 iHS VS20 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS enjoys outside measurements of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") along with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 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).

See the Olympus XZ-2 iHS versus Pentax VS20 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the XZ-2 iHS vs the VS20.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XZ-2 iHS and VS20 is 85 and 90 respectively.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements merely by researching specifications. The photograph underneath should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the XZ-2 iHS and VS20.

To sum up, the two cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The XZ-2 iHS with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax VS20 will render more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more modern XZ-2 iHS should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography highlights
46
focusing manually
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
36
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Street photography factors
Pentax VS20 Street photography factors
66
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
very small sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competition (346g)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Sports photography details
Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
43
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (340 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect AF
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Travel photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
61
better than average battery pack (340 shots)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (346g)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition (235g)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-2 iHS Landscape photography advice
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
55
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (340 CIPA)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
no Time Lapse mode
47
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus XZ-2 iHS
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
36
fairly wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic socket
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (346g)
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
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Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-2 iHS and Pentax VS20
 Olympus XZ-2 iHSPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus XZ-2 iHS Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-12-18 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 41.5mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3968 x 2976 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 35 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.5 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 4.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 8.60 m (ISO 800) 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 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 format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 346 grams (0.76 pounds) 235 grams (0.52 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 65 x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 49 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 216 not tested
Other
Battery life 340 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID Li-90B D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $450 $106