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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Key Specs

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
Pentax WG-1 GPS
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 167g - 116 x 59 x 29mm
  • Launched August 2011
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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax VS20 versus Pentax WG-1 GPS, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Waterproof and they are both created by Pentax. The image resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the WG-1 GPS (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was announced 6 months after the WG-1 GPS and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a short summary of how the VS20 grades versus the WG-1 GPS in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax WG-1 GPS

 VS20 WG-1 GPS 
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-1 GPS over the Pentax VS20

 WG-1 GPS VS20 

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Pentax WG-1 GPS

 VS20 WG-1 GPS 
LaunchedJanuary 2012August 2011Similar age
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax VS20 enjoys exterior dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Pentax WG-1 GPS has measurements of 116mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

Check the Pentax VS20 versus Pentax WG-1 GPS in our brand 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 are using during that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the VS20 vs the WG-1 GPS.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and WG-1 GPS is 90 and 93 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading a spec sheet. The image below should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the VS20 and WG-1 GPS.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Pentax VS20 to offer more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography details
Pentax WG-1 GPS Portrait photography details
36
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 GPS Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (235g)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
54
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 GPS Sports photography highlights
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
37
good resolution (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
low frames per second (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography features
Pentax WG-1 GPS Travel photography features
68
lighter than competitors in class (235 grams)
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
environment proofing
good resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax WG-1 GPS Landscape photography highlights
47
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
42
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging info
Pentax WG-1 GPS Vlogging info
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (235 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone port
25
fairly wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax WG-1 GPS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Pentax WG-1 GPS
 Pentax Optio VS20Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Released 2012-01-25 2011-08-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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 None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 pounds) 167 grams (0.37 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 116 x 59 x 29mm (4.6" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI122 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $106 $350