Clicky

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 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
  • Announced January 2012
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

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.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

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.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax VS20

 FS42 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic FS42

 VS20 FS42 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012April 2009More recent by 33 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax VS20

 FS42 VS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

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

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

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.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography details
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography details
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
36
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography advice
Pentax VS20 Street photography advice
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
low maximum ISO (1,000)
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography information
Pentax VS20 Sports photography information
16
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect autofocus
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography factors
Pentax VS20 Travel photography factors
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS42
Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
47
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone port
30
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax Optio VS20
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-04-17 2012-01-25
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1000 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132g (0.29 lb) 235g (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (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 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 shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $580 $106