Clicky

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Announced February 2019
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
  • Released January 2012
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic S1 versus Pentax VS20, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the S1 (24MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the S1 (Full frame) and VS20 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor dimensions.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The S1 was introduced 7 years later than the VS20 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the S1 scores versus the VS20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax VS20

 S1 VS20 
ReleasedFebruary 2019January 2012Fresher by 86 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k460kSharper display (+1640k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic S1

 VS20 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax VS20

 S1 VS20 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S1 offers external dimensions of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") having a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S1 versus Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the S1 compared to the VS20.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and VS20 is 54 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to see the gap between sensor sizing just by reading specifications. The photograph below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and VS20.

Plainly, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S1 with its larger sensor will make getting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic S1 will offer you extra detail using its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The fresher S1 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography features
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography features
85
manual focus
great flash sync speed (1/320 seconds)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
36
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S1
Street photography with Pentax VS20
70
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
supports touch focus
weather proof
great high ISO (51,200)
heavier than average in class (1,021 grams)
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography details
Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shooting (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
not so great battery (380 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Pentax VS20
59
weather proof
has bluetooth
supports touch focus
MP count decent (24MP)
not so great battery (380 CIPA)
heavier than average in class (1,021 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
68
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
not so great battery (380 per charge)
47
has manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging information
Pentax VS20 Vlogging information
32
touch screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
heavier than average in class (1,021g)
30
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Pentax Optio VS20
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2019-02-01 2012-01-25
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 225 3
Lens
Lens support Leica L fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Available lenses 30 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 2,100 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2500s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/8000s -
Continuous shutter speed 9.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/320s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1021 gr (2.25 lbs) 235 gr (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 25.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3333 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 pictures -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI122
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Dual One
Pricing at release $2,498 $106