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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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 FZ40 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The FZ40 was introduced 18 months earlier than the VS20 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the FZ40 matches up against the VS20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax VS20

 FZ40 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic FZ40

 VS20 FZ40 
LaunchedJanuary 2012July 2010Newer by 18 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax VS20

 FZ40 VS20 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ40 features external dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and 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).

Check the Panasonic FZ40 versus Pentax VS20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the FZ40 vs the VS20.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FZ40 and VS20 is 68 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by viewing technical specs. The pic underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ40 and VS20.

As you have seen, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax VS20 to provide you with more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged FZ40 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography highlights
46
focusing manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
36
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography information
Pentax VS20 Street photography information
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than others (494 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
Travel photography with Pentax VS20
54
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
more heavy than others (494 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition (235 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Landscape photography info
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography info
51
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse recording
47
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
23
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than others (494g)
30
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax Optio VS20
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-07-21 2012-01-25
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 3
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 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 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 494 grams (1.09 lbs) 235 grams (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 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, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $420 $106