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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Released May 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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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are sold by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is very similar but the K-01 (APS-C) and VS20 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-01 was manufactured 5 months later than the VS20 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the K-01 grades against the VS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Pentax VS20

 K-01 VS20 
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax K-01

 VS20 K-01 

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Pentax VS20

 K-01 VS20 
RevealedMay 2012January 2012Similar age
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-01 enjoys exterior measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") along with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has sizing of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 in our completely 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 select during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the K-01 versus the VS20.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-01 and VS20 is 76 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specifications. The photograph underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the K-01 and VS20.

To sum up, both of those cameras feature the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The K-01 comes with the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallower DOF simpler.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 Portrait photography features
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography features
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
36
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Street photography highlights
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
more heavy than competitors in class (561g)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 Sports photography features
Pentax VS20 Sports photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
has no phase detect AF
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography features
Pentax VS20 Travel photography features
65
better than average battery pack (540 shots)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
more heavy than competitors in class (561 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
68
lighter than others (235g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
does not have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography factors
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography factors
80
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
47
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 Vlogging information
Pentax VS20 Vlogging information
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external microphone port
does not have selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors in class (561g)
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Pentax VS20
 Pentax K-01Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-01 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-05-30 2012-01-25
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 81 3
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2500s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 561 grams (1.24 pounds) 235 grams (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1135 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $899 $106