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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10 Key Specs

Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Launched January 2012
Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Older Model is Pentax Q
  • Successor is Pentax Q7
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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Pentax VS20 and Pentax Q10, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are produced by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and Q10 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was launched 7 months prior to the Q10 so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the VS20 matches up vs the Q10 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax Q10

 VS20 Q10 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Pentax VS20

 Q10 VS20 
RevealedSeptember 2012January 2012Fresher by 7 months

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Pentax Q10

 VS20 Q10 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax VS20 comes with physical measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Pentax Q10 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check the Pentax VS20 and Pentax Q10 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the VS20 and the Q10.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and Q10 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing purely by viewing technical specs. The photograph below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the VS20 and Q10.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax VS20 to result in extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older VS20 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography factors
Pentax Q10 Portrait photography factors
36
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
48
has manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography advice
Pentax Q10 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (200 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography features
Pentax Q10 Sports photography features
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
36
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (270 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q10 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competition in class (235g)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than average in class (200g)
built-in flash
bad battery pack (270 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q10 Landscape photography advice
47
focusing manually
really wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
54
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (270 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q10 as a Vlogging camera
30
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (200 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Pentax Q10
 Pentax Optio VS20Pentax Q10
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Pentax Q10
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-01-25 2012-09-10
Physical type 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 Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-4.8 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 7.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 lb) 200 grams (0.44 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 183
Other
Battery life - 270 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI122 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $106 $350