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Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Revealed December 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic LX3
  • Newer Model is Panasonic LX7
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 LX5 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Panasonic LX5 versus Pentax VS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the LX5 (10MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the LX5 (1/1.63") and VS20 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor measurements.

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The LX5 was brought out very close to the VS20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the LX5 matches up against the VS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Pentax VS20

 LX5 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic LX5

 VS20 LX5 

Common features in the Panasonic LX5 and Pentax VS20

 LX5 VS20 
LaunchedDecember 2011January 2012Similar generation
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LX5 provides physical dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") along with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic LX5 versus Pentax VS20 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the LX5 versus the VS20.

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the LX5 and VS20 is 88 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing technical specs. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the LX5 and VS20.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The LX5 featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Pentax VS20 will offer greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures way more aggressively.

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Portrait photography factors
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography factors
41
has manual focus
supports RAW files
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Street photography advice
Pentax VS20 Street photography advice
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
more heavy than average in class (271g)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Sports photography information
Pentax VS20 Sports photography information
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (10MP)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LX5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
59
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (271g)
low MP (10 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
68
lighter than others (235g)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic LX5
Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
52
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse mode
47
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX5 Vlogging factors
Pentax VS20 Vlogging factors
29
relatively wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (271 grams)
30
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
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Panasonic LX5 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LX5 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-12-15 2012-01-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 8.07 x 5.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 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 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-90mm (3.8x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.0-3.3 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 4.5 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.20 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271 gr (0.60 lb) 235 gr (0.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 41 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.8 not tested
DXO Low light score 132 not tested
Other
Battery model - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $294 $106