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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
29
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FX580
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FX550
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 FX580 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the FX580 (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The FX580 was brought out 4 years prior to the VS20 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the FX580 scores versus the VS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX580 over the Pentax VS20

 FX580 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic FX580

 VS20 FX580 
LaunchedJanuary 2012January 2009Fresher by 36 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX580 and Pentax VS20

 FX580 VS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX580 comes with physical measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has sizing of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the FX580 against the VS20.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FX580 and VS20 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor sizing purely by looking at specs. The graphic here might give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FX580 and VS20.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax VS20 to give you greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older FX580 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Portrait photography features
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography features
26
has face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
36
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Street photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Street photography camera
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Sports photography information
Pentax VS20 Sports photography information
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
58
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition in class (235g)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX580 Landscape photography factors
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography factors
37
rather wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual control
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
47
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX580 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
30
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
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Panasonic FX580 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX580 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX580 Pentax Optio VS20
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FX550 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-01-27 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 167 grams (0.37 lb) 235 grams (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 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 model - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $499 $106