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Pentax S1 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Pentax S1 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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 S1 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Pentax S1 versus Pentax VS20, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and they are both offered by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is fairly similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S1 was revealed 10 months earlier than the VS20 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the S1 matches up against the VS20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Pentax VS20

 S1 VS20 

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax S1

 VS20 S1 
ReleasedJanuary 2012March 2011Fresher by 10 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Pentax VS20

 S1 VS20 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax S1 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax S1 features physical measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and 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).

Take a look at the Pentax S1 versus Pentax VS20 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the S1 vs the VS20.

Pentax S1 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and VS20 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over a spec sheet. The visual underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S1 and VS20.

As you can see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You should anticipate the Pentax VS20 to offer you greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The older S1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax S1 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax S1
Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
35
you can focus manually
good resolution (14MP)
manual mode not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
36
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax S1
Street photography with Pentax VS20
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography details
Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 Travel photography factors
Pentax VS20 Travel photography factors
64
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
68
lighter than competition in class (235g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
42
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
47
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax S1
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
28
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
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Pentax S1 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Pentax VS20
 Pentax Optio S1Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio S1 Pentax Optio VS20
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-03-02 2012-01-25
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video 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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157g (0.35 lbs) 235g (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 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 life 260 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $174 $106