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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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
  • Announced January 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is relatively similar and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S2 was revealed very close to the VS20 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the S2 matches up against the VS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax VS20

 S2 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic S2

 VS20 S2 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax VS20

 S2 VS20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012January 2012Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic S2 has outer dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has sizing of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the S2 against the VS20.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and VS20 is 96 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading specifications. The picture underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S2 and VS20.

Plainly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Pentax VS20 to offer extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography advice
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography advice
33
resolution is good (14MP)
comes with face detection focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
36
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography information
Pentax VS20 Street photography information
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (112 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (235g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
better than average battery (280 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S2
Travel photography with Pentax VS20
70
better than average battery (280 per charge)
lighter than competition in class (112g)
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than competitors in class (235 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography details
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography details
41
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
better than average battery (280 CIPA)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
47
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging factors
Pentax VS20 Vlogging factors
32
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (112g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (235g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-01-09 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 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus distance 5cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 112g (0.25 lbs) 235g (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 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 life 280 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $109 $106