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Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Samsung HZ25W front
Portability
70
Imaging
35
Features
32
Overall
33

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W 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
Samsung HZ25W
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 428g - 116 x 83 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Also referred to as WB5000
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Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Pentax VS20 versus Samsung HZ25W, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Pentax and Samsung. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and HZ25W (12MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was brought out 19 months after the HZ25W which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the VS20 matches up against the HZ25W with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Samsung HZ25W

 VS20 HZ25W 
RevealedJanuary 2012July 2010More modern by 19 months
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Samsung HZ25W over the Pentax VS20

 HZ25W VS20 

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Samsung HZ25W

 VS20 HZ25W 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax VS20 comes with 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) and the Samsung HZ25W has proportions of 116mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).

Look at the Pentax VS20 versus Samsung HZ25W in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the VS20 compared to the HZ25W.

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and HZ25W is 90 and 70 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through specifications. The image below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the VS20 and HZ25W.

Plainly, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax VS20 to provide you with extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger VS20 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography details
Samsung HZ25W Portrait photography details
36
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
34
you can focus manually
saves RAW formats
no manual mode
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography features
Samsung HZ25W Street photography features
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
55
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography factors
Samsung HZ25W Sports photography factors
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
34
long zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography features
Samsung HZ25W Travel photography features
68
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
52
flash built-in
quite wide (26mm)
very long reach (624mm)
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography information
Samsung HZ25W Landscape photography information
47
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
43
you can focus manually
quite wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
no manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung HZ25W as a Vlogging camera
30
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
24
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
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Pentax VS20 vs Samsung HZ25W Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Samsung HZ25W
 Pentax Optio VS20Samsung HZ25W
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Samsung HZ25W
Also called - WB5000
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2012-01-25 2010-07-06
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 16 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 lbs) 428 grams (0.94 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 116 x 83 x 92mm (4.6" x 3.3" x 3.6")
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 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SC/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $106 $350