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Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2010
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
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Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Panasonic FP3 and Pentax VS20, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FP3 (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is very close and they come with the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FP3 was introduced 24 months prior to the VS20 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the FP3 scores versus the VS20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Pentax VS20

 FP3 VS20 
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic FP3

 VS20 FP3 
ReleasedJanuary 2012January 2010More recent by 24 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Pentax VS20

 FP3 VS20 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FP3 has outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FP3 and Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the FP3 compared to the VS20.

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FP3 and VS20 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by viewing specs. The visual here might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FP3 and VS20.

All in all, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax VS20 to result in greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The older FP3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
28
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FP3
Street photography with Pentax VS20
60
image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
heavier than competition (155 grams)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Sports photography advice
Pentax VS20 Sports photography advice
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FP3
Travel photography with Pentax VS20
60
supports focus via touch
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (155 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than competition (235 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Landscape photography information
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography information
37
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
47
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
27
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition (155g)
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
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Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP3 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Pentax Optio VS20
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-01-06 2012-01-25
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus distance 10cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.90 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video 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 155g (0.34 lb) 235g (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $182 $106