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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Old Model is Pentax K-7
  • Successor is Pentax K-5 IIs
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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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Let's look closer at the Pentax K-5 and Pentax VS20, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are sold by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the K-5 (APS-C) and VS20 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-5 was unveiled 13 months prior to the VS20 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the K-5 scores versus the VS20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax VS20

 K-5 VS20 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax K-5

 VS20 K-5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012December 2010Fresher by 13 months

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Pentax VS20

 K-5 VS20 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-5 comes with physical measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-5 and Pentax VS20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the K-5 compared to the VS20.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 and VS20 is 60 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The visual here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 and VS20.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizing. The K-5 has the bigger sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF easier. The older K-5 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
73
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
36
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography factors
Pentax VS20 Street photography factors
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Sports photography highlights
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-5
Travel photography with Pentax VS20
65
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography details
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography details
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
47
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax VS20 Vlogging highlights
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
30
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Pentax VS20
 Pentax K-5Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-5 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2010-12-18 2012-01-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 3
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-4.8
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 740 gr (1.63 lb) 235 gr (0.52 lb)
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 score 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 1162 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI122
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $800 $106