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Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
35
Overall
36
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
60
Overall
47

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 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
  • Launched January 2012
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 4.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 23-483mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 283g - 133 x 71 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Pentax VS20 versus Samsung Galaxy Camera 2, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the Galaxy Camera 2 (16MP) is fairly well matched and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was unveiled 23 months prior to the Galaxy Camera 2 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the VS20 scores against the Galaxy Camera 2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

 VS20 Galaxy Camera 2 

Reasons to pick Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 over the Pentax VS20

 Galaxy Camera 2 VS20 
IntroducedJanuary 2014January 2012More recent by 23 months
Display sizing4.8"3"Larger display (+1.8")
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2

 VS20 Galaxy Camera 2 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax VS20 has exterior dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 has measurements of 133mm x 71mm x 19mm (5.2" x 2.8" x 0.7") having a weight of 283 grams (0.62 lbs).

See the Pentax VS20 versus Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the VS20 against the Galaxy Camera 2.

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the VS20 and Galaxy Camera 2 is 90 and 90 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to visualize the gap between sensor measurements just by reading through specs. The visual underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the VS20 and Galaxy Camera 2.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same resolution and you should expect similar quality of photos although you should always consider the release date of the products into consideration. The older VS20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography information
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Portrait photography information
36
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
43
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography info
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has touch to focus
lighter than competitors in class (283 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 as a Sports photography camera
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
48
great zoom range (23-483mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
great battery power (400 per charge)
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography info
Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Travel photography info
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
72
great battery power (400 CIPA)
lighter than competitors in class (283g)
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (23mm)
very long reach (483mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
Landscape photography with Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
46
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
51
focusing manually
decently wide (23mm)
very good size screen (4.8")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
great battery power (400 shots)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax VS20
Vlogging with Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
30
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
37
decently wide (23mm)
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic support
lighter than competitors in class (283 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
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Pentax VS20 vs Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
 Pentax Optio VS20Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Samsung Galaxy Camera 2
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-25 2014-01-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 1.6GHz Quad-Core Exynos
Sensor type CCD BSI-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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 23-483mm (21.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 4.8 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating HD Super Clear Touch Display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 16 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, fill-in, slow sync, flash off, redeye fix
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 lb) 283 grams (0.62 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 133 x 71 x 19mm (5.2" x 2.8" x 0.7")
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 life - 400 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI122 Built-in
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $106 $400