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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
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
  • Launched January 2012
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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Panasonic FS15 versus Pentax VS20, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FS15 was revealed 4 years earlier than the VS20 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the FS15 scores versus the VS20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Pentax VS20

 FS15 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic FS15

 VS20 FS15 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2009Newer by 36 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax VS20

 FS15 VS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic FS15 features external measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS15 versus Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the FS15 and the VS20.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and VS20 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by seeing technical specs. The picture here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FS15 and VS20.

As you have seen, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax VS20 to produce greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FS15 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
20
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
36
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS15
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
68
lighter than competition (235g)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography highlights
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
resolution not great (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
47
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging advice
Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (29mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
30
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-16 2012-01-25
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
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 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 29-145mm (5.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
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 1/2000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 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)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 gr (0.30 lbs) 235 gr (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail cost $180 $106