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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Introduced January 2013
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
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax VS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The XS1 was manufactured 12 months later than the VS20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the XS1 grades against the VS20 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Pentax VS20

 XS1 VS20 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013January 2012Fresher by 12 months

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic XS1

 VS20 XS1 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax VS20

 XS1 VS20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic XS1 has outer measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") along with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 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).

See the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax VS20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the XS1 against the VS20.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the XS1 and VS20 is 97 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing just by checking a spec sheet. The photograph below will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the XS1 and VS20.

Clearly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same megapixels therefore you should expect similar quality of pictures however you need to factor the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher XS1 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography information
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography information
30
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
36
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Street photography advice
Pentax VS20 Street photography advice
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (103g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic XS1
Sports photography with Pentax VS20
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Travel photography advice
Pentax VS20 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than average (103 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competitors (235g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography highlights
39
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
47
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic XS1
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
31
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (103g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
30
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic jack
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2013-01-07 2012-01-25
Body design 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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 3
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.9 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance 5cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 103g (0.23 lbs) 235g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 260 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail price $130 $106