Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q-S1

Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax VS20 versus Pentax Q-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both offered by Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the VS20 (1/2.3") and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use different sensor dimensions.

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The VS20 was brought out 3 years earlier than the Q-S1 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short highlight of how the VS20 matches up against the Q-S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio VS20 & Pentax Q-S1. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax VS20 Gallery & Pentax Q-S1 Gallery.

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Pentax VS20 enjoys outside dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") along with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q-S1 has specifications of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Pentax VS20 versus Pentax Q-S1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the VS20 against the Q-S1.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the VS20 and Q-S1 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Usually, its hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through specs. The visual underneath might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VS20 and Q-S1.

All in all, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The VS20 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax VS20 will resolve greater detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older VS20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.