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Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28
Pentax Optio P70 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced March 2009
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
  • Released January 2012
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Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Pentax P70 versus Pentax VS20, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the P70 (12MP) and VS20 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The P70 was unveiled 3 years before the VS20 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting right into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the P70 matches up vs the VS20 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Pentax VS20

 P70 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax P70

 VS20 P70 
ReleasedJanuary 2012March 2009More recent by 35 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax P70 and Pentax VS20

 P70 VS20 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax P70 has physical measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Pentax VS20 has sizing 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 P70 versus Pentax VS20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the P70 compared to the VS20.

Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the P70 and VS20 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic here may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the P70 and VS20.

Clearly, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Pentax VS20 to provide you with greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older P70 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax P70 Portrait photography info
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography info
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
36
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax P70 Street photography info
Pentax VS20 Street photography info
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition (155 grams)
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax P70 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax P70 Travel photography info
Pentax VS20 Travel photography info
56
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (155g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
68
lighter than competition (235g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax P70 Landscape photography features
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography features
32
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
47
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax P70 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
25
pretty wide (28mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
more heavy than competition (155g)
30
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic socket
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Pentax P70 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax P70 and Pentax VS20
 Pentax Optio P70Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio P70 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2009-03-02 2012-01-25
Physical type Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 64 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-110mm (3.9x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 10cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1000 secs 1/2500 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.60 m 2.80 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155 gr (0.34 pounds) 235 gr (0.52 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 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 ID - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $200 $106