Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X70
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37


71 Imaging
34 Features
34 Overall
34
Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X70 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 50 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
- 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
- Launched March 2009

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X70 Overview
Here is a in depth review of the Pentax VS20 versus Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras and both of them are created by Pentax. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and X70 (12MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The VS20 was unveiled 2 years later than the X70 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the VS20 grades versus the X70 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X70 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio VS20 & Pentax X70. The full galleries are available at Pentax VS20 Gallery & Pentax X70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Pentax X70
VS20 | X70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2012 | ![]() | March 2009 | Fresher by 36 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Pentax VS20
X70 | VS20 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Pentax X70
VS20 | X70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Lacking Touch screen |
Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax VS20 features external dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Pentax X70 has dimensions of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") and a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax VS20 versus Pentax X70 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the VS20 compared to the X70.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the VS20 and X70 is 90 and 71 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing purely by looking through technical specs. The visual below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the VS20 and X70.
As you can tell, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Pentax VS20 to provide you with more detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher VS20 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Pentax X70 Specifications
Pentax Optio VS20 | Pentax X70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Pentax |
Model | Pentax Optio VS20 | Pentax X70 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Launched | 2012-01-25 | 2009-03-02 |
Body design | Compact | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 50 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 26-624mm (24.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-4.8 | f/2.8-5.0 |
Macro focus range | 3cm | 10cm |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen resolution | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Screen tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 seconds | 4 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2500 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames per second | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 2.80 m | 9.10 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | - |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 235g (0.52 pounds) | 410g (0.90 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") | 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around 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 model | D-LI122 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $106 | $200 |