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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Ricoh CX5 front
Portability
92
Imaging
33
Features
35
Overall
33

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 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
Ricoh CX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-300mm (F3.5-5.6) lens
  • 205g - 102 x 59 x 29mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Ricoh. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and CX5 (10MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was unveiled 7 months after the CX5 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the VS20 grades vs the CX5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Ricoh CX5

 VS20 CX5 
IntroducedJanuary 2012July 2011More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Ricoh CX5 over the Pentax VS20

 CX5 VS20 
Screen resolution920k460kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX5

 VS20 CX5 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax VS20 enjoys outside measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") with a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Ricoh CX5 has specifications of 102mm x 59mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 205 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the VS20 against the CX5.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the VS20 and CX5 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The pic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the VS20 and CX5.

As you can tell, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax VS20 to deliver extra detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively. The more modern VS20 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography details
Ricoh CX5 Portrait photography details
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
manual focus
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax VS20
Street photography with Ricoh CX5
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (235 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (205 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography info
Ricoh CX5 Sports photography info
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
Ricoh CX5 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than average (235 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
66
lighter than competition (205 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
very long reach (300mm)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography factors
Ricoh CX5 Landscape photography factors
47
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
44
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging factors
Ricoh CX5 Vlogging factors
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (235 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
30
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (205g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic port
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Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX5
 Pentax Optio VS20Ricoh CX5
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Ricoh
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Ricoh CX5
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-25 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 28-300mm (10.7x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.5-5.6
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 8 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 4.00 m
Flash options 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 gr (0.52 pounds) 205 gr (0.45 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 102 x 59 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-100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 or Custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $106 $399