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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
35
Overall
36
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Ricoh CX2 front
Portability
93
Imaging
32
Features
35
Overall
33

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2 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
  • Released January 2012
Ricoh CX2
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 185g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Introduced August 2009
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX2, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Ricoh. There exists a substantial gap between the resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and CX2 (9MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was brought out 2 years later than the CX2 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the VS20 grades against the CX2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Ricoh CX2

 VS20 CX2 
IntroducedJanuary 2012August 2009More recent by 30 months

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX2 over the Pentax VS20

 CX2 VS20 
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX2

 VS20 CX2 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax VS20 enjoys physical 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) while the Ricoh CX2 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the VS20 compared to the CX2.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VS20 and CX2 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to see the difference between sensor measurements purely by reviewing specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the VS20 and CX2.

All in all, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax VS20 to deliver greater detail having its extra 7MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern VS20 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
Portrait photography with Ricoh CX2
36
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
25
you can focus manually
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (9MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography features
Ricoh CX2 Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (185 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography advice
Ricoh CX2 Sports photography advice
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (9MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
Ricoh CX2 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than others in class (235g)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
66
lighter than competition in class (185g)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
long reach (300mm)
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
Ricoh CX2 Landscape photography advice
46
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
42
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
megapixel count low (9 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax VS20
Vlogging with Ricoh CX2
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
30
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (185 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic support
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX2
 Pentax Optio VS20Ricoh CX2
General Information
Brand Pentax Ricoh
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Ricoh CX2
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-01-25 2009-08-20
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 16 megapixels 9 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 1600
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 3.00 m (ISO 400)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235g (0.52 lbs) 185g (0.41 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $106 $341