Clicky

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic GX1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Successor is Panasonic GX7
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
  • Released January 2012
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GX1 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is pretty close but the GX1 (Four Thirds) and VS20 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor sizes.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The GX1 was unveiled at a similar time to the VS20 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the GX1 grades versus the VS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Pentax VS20

 GX1 VS20 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic GX1

 VS20 GX1 

Common features in the Panasonic GX1 and Pentax VS20

 GX1 VS20 
ReleasedFebruary 2012January 2012Same age
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic GX1 enjoys external dimensions of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has specifications of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the GX1 against the VS20.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the GX1 and VS20 is 87 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing technical specs. The visual underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GX1 and VS20.

As you have seen, both cameras come with the identical MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The GX1 comes with the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF easier.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
71
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
36
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Street photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Street photography highlights
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch to focus
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Sports photography details
Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
47
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Travel photography factors
Pentax VS20 Travel photography factors
65
supports touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery life (300 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
68
lighter than competition (235g)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography factors
62
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (300 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
47
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GX1
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
32
screen is touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have mic port
30
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX1 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-02-14 2012-01-25
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 3
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.60 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 318 grams (0.70 pounds) 235 grams (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 703 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $228 $106