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Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Samsung TL500 front
Portability
88
Imaging
34
Features
54
Overall
42

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 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 TL500
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 24-72mm (F1.8-2.4) lens
  • 386g - 114 x 63 x 29mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Alternative Name is EX1
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Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Samsung. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and TL500 (10MP) and the VS20 (1/2.3") and TL500 (1/1.7") come with different sensor size.

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The VS20 was released 19 months later than the TL500 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the VS20 grades vs the TL500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Samsung TL500

 VS20 TL500 
ReleasedJanuary 2012July 2010More recent by 19 months

Reasons to pick Samsung TL500 over the Pentax VS20

 TL500 VS20 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution614k460kCrisper display (+154k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Samsung TL500

 VS20 TL500 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax VS20 offers outside dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Samsung TL500 has sizing of 114mm x 63mm x 29mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 386 grams (0.85 lbs).

Check the Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the VS20 versus the TL500.

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and TL500 is 90 and 88 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by reading a spec sheet. The visual here might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the VS20 and TL500.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The VS20 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax VS20 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images far more aggressively. The newer VS20 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography details
Samsung TL500 Portrait photography details
36
manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
40
has manual focus
saves RAW files
low resolution (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography advice
Samsung TL500 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
66
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
very small sensor (1/1.7")
heavier than competition in class (386 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography information
Samsung TL500 Sports photography information
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
29
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
Samsung TL500 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competitors (235 grams)
decent megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
64
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
quite wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (386g)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
Landscape photography with Samsung TL500
47
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
52
has manual focus
quite wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
low resolution (10MP)
very small sensor (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging highlights
Samsung TL500 Vlogging highlights
30
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
64
quite wide (24mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic socket
heavier than competition in class (386g)
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Pentax VS20 vs Samsung TL500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Samsung TL500
 Pentax Optio VS20Samsung TL500
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax Optio VS20 Samsung TL500
Alternate name - EX1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-25 2010-07-09
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-72mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/1.8-2.4
Macro focus distance 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 614k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 8 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 2.80 m 5.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, Slow syncro, Manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 235g (0.52 lb) 386g (0.85 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 114 x 63 x 29mm (4.5" x 2.5" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 40
DXO Color Depth score not tested 19.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 129
Other
Battery model D-LI122 SLB-07A
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (10 sec, 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $106 $527