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Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67
Pentax K-5 II front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
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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Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Pentax K-5 II and Pentax VS20, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-5 II (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is pretty close but the K-5 II (APS-C) and VS20 (1/2.3") come with different sensor size.

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The K-5 II was introduced 17 months later than the VS20 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the K-5 II scores vs the VS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Pentax VS20

 K-5 II VS20 
IntroducedJune 2013January 2012More recent by 17 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax K-5 II

 VS20 K-5 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Pentax VS20

 K-5 II VS20 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 II enjoys outer measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has proportions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-5 II and Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the K-5 II compared to the VS20.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 II and VS20 is 60 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-5 II and VS20.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have got the exact same resolution albeit different sensor measurements. The K-5 II has got the bigger sensor which should make getting shallow DOF simpler. The more recent K-5 II should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography information
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography information
74
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
36
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-5 II
Street photography with Pentax VS20
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5 II
Travel photography with Pentax VS20
65
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
68
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 II
Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
47
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Vlogging advice
Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 II and Pentax VS20
 Pentax K-5 IIPentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-5 II Pentax Optio VS20
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2013-06-04 2012-01-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II -
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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 3
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2500s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless 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 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760 gr (1.68 lbs) 235 gr (0.52 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1235 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI122
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail price $830 $106