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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2012
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 SZ1 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax VS20, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is very similar and they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was announced within a month of the VS20 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ1 scores against the VS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax VS20

 SZ1 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic SZ1

 VS20 SZ1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax VS20

 SZ1 VS20 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2012Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ1 comes with exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has specifications 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 SZ1 versus Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ1 and the VS20.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and VS20 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to picture the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ1 and VS20.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same MP therefore you can expect similar quality of photos but you should really consider the launch date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography advice
34
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
36
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography details
Pentax VS20 Street photography details
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (131g)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography details
Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than others (131 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than others (235 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography information
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography information
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
47
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than others (131 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
30
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Optio VS20
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 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 surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing 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 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 3
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus distance 4cm 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 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 131 grams (0.29 lb) 235 grams (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 life 250 photos -
Type of battery 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, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $179 $106