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Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20

Portability
54
Imaging
79
Features
84
Overall
81
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic S1R
(Full Review)
  • 47MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1020g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Released February 2019
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
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Panasonic S1R versus Pentax VS20, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the S1R (47MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the S1R (Full frame) and VS20 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The S1R was introduced 7 years after the VS20 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S1R being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the S1R grades vs the VS20 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1R over the Pentax VS20

 S1R VS20 
RevealedFebruary 2019January 2012More modern by 86 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k460kClearer screen (+1640k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic S1R

 VS20 S1R 

Common features in the Panasonic S1R and Pentax VS20

 S1R VS20 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic S1R provides outer measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") having a weight of 1020 grams (2.25 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S1R versus Pentax VS20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the S1R against the VS20.

Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S1R and VS20 is 54 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to see the gap between sensor sizes just by reading technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S1R and VS20.

As you have seen, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S1R having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic S1R will deliver more detail using its extra 31MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent S1R will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1R Portrait photography information
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography information
87
you can focus manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/320 seconds)
MP count amazing (47MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW files
36
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1R Street photography factors
Pentax VS20 Street photography factors
71
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
includes focus via touch
environment sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
more heavy than average in class (1,020g)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1R as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (47MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
bad battery power (360 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1R as a Travel photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
60
environment sealing
has bluetooth
includes focus via touch
MP count amazing (47MP)
bad battery power (360 shots)
more heavy than average in class (1,020g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1R Landscape photography advice
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
82
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count amazing (47MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
bad battery power (360 per charge)
47
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1R Vlogging advice
Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
32
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
more heavy than average in class (1,020g)
30
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic S1R vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1R and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1RPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R Pentax Optio VS20
Class Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2019-02-01 2012-01-25
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 47 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 8000 x 6000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 225 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Leica L fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range - 3cm
Number of lenses 30 -
Crop factor 1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 2,100 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 5,760 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 2.80 m
Flash settings 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/320 seconds -
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, MOV, 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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1020g (2.25 lb) 235g (0.52 lb)
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 score 100 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 26.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 3525 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI122
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Dual 1
Price at release $3,698 $106