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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5 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
  • Revealed January 2012
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Released August 2012
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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax VS20 versus Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both are offered by Pentax. The image resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was launched 7 months before the X-5 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple view of how the VS20 scores against the X-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax X-5

 VS20 X-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Pentax VS20

 X-5 VS20 
ReleasedAugust 2012January 2012More recent by 7 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Pentax X-5

 VS20 X-5 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax VS20 enjoys external measurements 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 X-5 has dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") and a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Look at the Pentax VS20 versus Pentax X-5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the VS20 against the X-5.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VS20 and X-5 is 90 and 65 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements only by going through specifications. The graphic below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the VS20 and X-5.

Plainly, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same resolution and you can expect comparable quality of pictures though you might want to take the age of the cameras into account. The older VS20 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography highlights
36
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
43
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with face detect focus
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography highlights
Pentax X-5 Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
50
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than competition (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography information
Pentax X-5 Sports photography information
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
52
great zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography info
Pentax X-5 Travel photography info
68
lighter than others (235 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
53
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (22mm)
great zoom (580mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition (595 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax X-5 Landscape photography highlights
47
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
47
you can focus manually
really wide (22mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
Pentax X-5 Vlogging advice
30
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others (235g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
26
really wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
missing mic port
heavier than competition (595g)
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Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Pentax X-5
 Pentax Optio VS20Pentax X-5
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Optio VS20 Pentax X-5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-25 2012-08-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230k dot
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 2.80 m 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
External flash
AEB
WB 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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 235g (0.52 lb) 595g (1.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 330 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI122 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $106 $230