Clicky

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Announced June 2011
  • Successor is Pentax Q10
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both designed by Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and Q (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The VS20 was manufactured 8 months after the Q so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a short introduction of how the VS20 scores against the Q for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax Q

 VS20 Q 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012June 2011More modern by 8 months

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax VS20

 Q VS20 

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Pentax Q

 VS20 Q 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax VS20 features physical 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 Q has proportions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the VS20 compared to the Q.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q size comparison

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

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes purely by seeing specifications. The picture underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the VS20 and Q.

To sum up, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax VS20 to provide more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images far more aggressively. The more recent VS20 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q Portrait photography details
36
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
45
you can focus manually
high flash sync (1/2,000s)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax VS20
Street photography with Pentax Q
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235g)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (180 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography features
Pentax Q Sports photography features
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking focus
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
no Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
57
lighter than competition (180g)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery power (230 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
47
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Timelapse mode
51
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery power (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging highlights
Pentax Q Vlogging highlights
30
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (180g)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
Photography Glossary

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Pentax Q
 Pentax Optio VS20Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Pentax Q
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-01-25 2011-06-23
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-4.8 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/2000 secs
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 gr (0.52 lbs) 180 gr (0.40 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 47
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI122 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $106 $695