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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Renewed by Pentax K-S2
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
  • Announced January 2012
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Pentax K-S1 versus Pentax VS20, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and VS20 (16MP) and the K-S1 (APS-C) and VS20 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

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The K-S1 was announced 2 years later than the VS20 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the K-S1 scores against the VS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax VS20

 K-S1 VS20 
AnnouncedAugust 2014January 2012Fresher by 32 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax K-S1

 VS20 K-S1 

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax VS20

 K-S1 VS20 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-S1 offers physical dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) while 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 Pentax K-S1 versus Pentax VS20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the K-S1 compared to the VS20.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K-S1 and VS20 is 69 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to see the difference in sensor sizing just by checking out specs. The photograph underneath might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-S1 and VS20.

All in all, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-S1 using its larger sensor will make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Pentax K-S1 will produce more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The more modern K-S1 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography features
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography features
77
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
36
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Street photography features
Pentax VS20 Street photography features
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than average (558 grams)
very good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Sports photography highlights
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
60
lighter than average (558g)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
68
lighter than average in class (235g)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography factors
73
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
not so great battery (410 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
47
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Vlogging info
Pentax VS20 Vlogging info
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (558g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax VS20
 Pentax K-S1Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S1 Pentax Optio VS20
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-08-27 2012-01-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime MII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 51200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 3
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting speed 5.4fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 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 H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 558 gr (1.23 pounds) 235 gr (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1061 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109 D-LI122
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $339 $106