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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
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
  • Revealed January 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax VS20, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was launched 24 months after the VS20 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the SZ8 grades vs the VS20 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax VS20

 SZ8 VS20 
RevealedJanuary 2014January 2012Newer by 24 months

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic SZ8

 VS20 SZ8 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax VS20

 SZ8 VS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 has got outside dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at the time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ8 compared to the VS20.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and VS20 is 94 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at specs. The picture underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and VS20.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution and you should expect similar quality of files though you really should take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger SZ8 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography information
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography information
35
good megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
36
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
Pentax VS20 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (235 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography factors
Pentax VS20 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
68
lighter than average (235g)
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
42
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
47
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging details
Pentax VS20 Vlogging details
32
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
30
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (235 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Optio VS20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2014-01-06 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine -
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off 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 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 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 support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lbs) 235 grams (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 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 Single Single
Cost at launch $275 $106