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Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
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
  • Revealed January 2012
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Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FH3 was unveiled 24 months earlier than the VS20 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise summary of how the FH3 grades against the VS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Pentax VS20

 FH3 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic FH3

 VS20 FH3 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2010More modern by 24 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Pentax VS20

 FH3 VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH3 enjoys physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has sizing of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

See the Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the FH3 and the VS20.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the FH3 and VS20 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes simply by reviewing technical specs. The pic here might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FH3 and VS20.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Pentax VS20 to offer greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged FH3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
28
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
36
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Street photography features
Pentax VS20 Street photography features
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Travel photography information
Pentax VS20 Travel photography information
64
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography highlights
37
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
47
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Vlogging info
Pentax VS20 Vlogging info
29
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
30
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Pentax Optio VS20
Also Known as Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-01-06 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.80 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 165 grams (0.36 lbs) 235 grams (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $160 $106