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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Ricoh CX1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
30
Overall
31

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1 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
  • Revealed January 2012
Ricoh CX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-200mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 180g - 102 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced February 2009
Photography Glossary

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1 Overview

Let's look much closer at the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Ricoh. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and CX1 (9MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was revealed 2 years after the CX1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summation of how the VS20 scores vs the CX1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Ricoh CX1

 VS20 CX1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012February 2009More modern by 36 months

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX1 over the Pentax VS20

 CX1 VS20 
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX1

 VS20 CX1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax VS20 features physical 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 Ricoh CX1 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check out the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the VS20 vs the CX1.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the VS20 and CX1 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing specs. The picture here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the VS20 and CX1.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax VS20 to offer greater detail because of its extra 7 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images far more aggressively. The younger VS20 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Ricoh CX1 as a Portrait photography camera
36
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
25
you can focus manually
no manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution (9MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Street photography camera
Ricoh CX1 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
55
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography advice
Ricoh CX1 Sports photography advice
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (9 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax VS20
Travel photography with Ricoh CX1
68
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
59
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
low resolution (9 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
Landscape photography with Ricoh CX1
47
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse function
42
you can focus manually
quite wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
low resolution (9MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
Ricoh CX1 as a Vlogging camera
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
missing mic support
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX1
 Pentax Optio VS20Ricoh CX1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Ricoh
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Ricoh CX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-01-25 2009-02-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Smooth Imaging Engine IV
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 16MP 9MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-200mm (7.1x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 3.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 102 x 58 x 28mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID D-LI122 DB-70
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $106 $299