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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH5
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is fairly close but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and VS20 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

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The GH4 was revealed 2 years after the VS20 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the GH4 scores against the VS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Pentax VS20

 GH4 VS20 
RevealedFebruary 2014January 2012More modern by 25 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1036k460kClearer display (+576k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic GH4

 VS20 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax VS20

 GH4 VS20 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH4 has outer dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Pentax VS20 has dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the GH4 against the VS20.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GH4 and VS20 is 66 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by looking through specs. The picture below might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH4 and VS20.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count but not the same sensor sizes. The GH4 offers the larger sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field less difficult. The fresher GH4 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography features
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography features
71
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
36
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Street photography info
Pentax VS20 Street photography info
71
fully articulated screen
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes focus via touch
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (560g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
no image stabilization
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH4
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH4
Travel photography with Pentax VS20
77
lighter than competition in class (560 grams)
weather sealing
includes focus via touch
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
missing Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography advice
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
72
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
no image stabilization
47
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
71
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
has face detect autofocus
video res high (4096 x 2160 resolution)
has mic port
lighter than competition in class (560 grams)
no image stabilization
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Pentax Optio VS20
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-02-07 2012-01-25
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IX -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 49 3
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,036k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech OLED TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 12.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 25p, 30p), 1920 x 1080 (24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p), 1280 x 720 (24p, 25p, 30p), 640 x 480 (25p, 30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 560 grams (1.23 lbs) 235 grams (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 791 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $1,500 $106