Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37


92 Imaging
33 Features
35 Overall
33
Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 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)
- 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

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").

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.

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio VS20 & Ricoh CX5. The full galleries are provided at Pentax VS20 Gallery & Ricoh CX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Ricoh CX5
VS20 | CX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | July 2011 | More modern by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Ricoh CX5 over the Pentax VS20
CX5 | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Ricoh CX5
VS20 | CX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Ricoh CX5 Specifications
Pentax Optio VS20 | Ricoh 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 |