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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS18
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
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is fairly comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FH5 was brought out 12 months prior to the VS20 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the FH5 grades versus the VS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Pentax VS20

 FH5 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic FH5

 VS20 FH5 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2011More modern by 12 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Pentax VS20

 FH5 VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FH5 has external dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the FH5 compared to the VS20.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the FH5 and VS20 is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes purely by going through specs. The picture underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH5 and VS20.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact MP therefore you can expect comparable quality of files however you have to factor the age of the cameras into account. The more aged FH5 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
34
good MP (16MP)
comes with face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
36
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH5
Street photography with Pentax VS20
67
image stabilization (Optical)
offers touch to focus
lighter than others (121 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography details
Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Travel photography details
Pentax VS20 Travel photography details
71
lighter than others (121 grams)
offers touch to focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than competition (235 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography info
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography info
38
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
47
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Vlogging features
Pentax VS20 Vlogging features
33
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than others (121g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
30
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Pentax Optio VS20
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-01-05 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 121 gr (0.27 lb) 235 gr (0.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 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 life 260 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $169 $106