Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20

Below is a extended comparison of the Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and VS20 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was announced 3 years before the VS20 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a short view of how the FS42 scores vs the VS20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 and Pentax Optio VS20. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic FS42 Gallery and Pentax VS20 Gallery.

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS42 has physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the FS42 against the VS20.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and VS20 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Normally, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements merely by viewing technical specs. The graphic below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and VS20.

As you can tell, both of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FS42 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax VS20 will result in more detail with its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older FS42 will be behind in sensor tech.