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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
95 Imaging
38 Features
34 Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Revealed July 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
  • Introduced January 2012
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax VS20, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was brought out 6 months after the VS20 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SZ5 matches up versus the VS20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax VS20

		

		

			
 SZ5 VS20 
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic SZ5

		

		

			
 VS20 SZ5 
Manual focus  More accurate focusing
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax VS20

		

		

			
 SZ5 VS20 
IntroducedJuly 2012January 2012Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen  Missing selfie screen
Touch screen  Missing Touch screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ5 has external measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).
Compare the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax VS20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ5 versus the VS20.
Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and VS20 is 95 and 90 respectively.
Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
Normally, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by reading through specifications. The picture here should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and VS20.
Plainly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax VS20 to resolve more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a little more aggressively.
	
			Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
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Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography factors
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography factors
34
 MP count decent (14MP)
 features face detection focus
 focusing manually not possible
 manual mode not possible
 no external flash support
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
36
 has manual focus
 sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
 lack of manual mode
 no external flash support
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
Photography Glossary
Street Comparison
Panasonic SZ5 Street photography advice
Pentax VS20 Street photography advice
63
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competition (136 grams)
 screen is fixed
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
61
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 lighter than others in class (235 grams)
 screen is fixed
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison
Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography factors
Pentax VS20 Sports photography factors
40
 image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count decent (14 megapixels)
 features tracking autofocus
 slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
 no shutter priority mode
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 no phase detect auto focus
44
 great zoom range (28-560mm  20.0 x zoom)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 includes tracking focus
 max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
 no shutter priority mode
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison
 Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
 Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
70
 lighter than competition (136g)
 MP count decent (14MP)
 built-in flash
 rather wide (25mm)
 very long zoom (250mm)
 missing Timelapse function
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
68
 lighter than others in class (235g)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 reasonably wide (28mm)
 long zoom (560mm)
 missing Timelapse recording
 doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
 slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison
 Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
 Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
42
 rather wide (25mm)
 screen is a decent size (3 inches)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 MP count decent (14MP)
 focusing manually not possible
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
 manual mode not possible
 sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
 missing Timelapse function
47
 has manual focus
 reasonably wide (28mm)
 nice screen size (3")
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
 cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
 slow max aperture (f3.1)
 lack of manual mode
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 lack of RAW support
 missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison
 Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
 Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
32
 rather wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 features face detection focus
 lighter than competition (136g)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
 screen isn't selfie friendly
 video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
 missing external microphone port
30
 reasonably wide (28mm)
 has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
 lighter than others in class (235g)
 slow max aperture (f3.1)
 doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
 low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
 missing microphone socket
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax Optio VS20
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-07-18 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9 1:1, 4:3 and  16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Touch to focus    
Continuous AF    
Single AF    
Tracking AF    
AF selectice    
Center weighted AF    
AF multi area    
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)
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch display    
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Set WB    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range 5.60 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash    
AE bracketing    
White balance bracketing    
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 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 data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone port    
Headphone port    
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
Environment sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 136 gr (0.30 lb) 235 gr (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" 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 250 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $195 $106