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Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Revealed January 2008
  • Successor is Sony A330
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Pentax VS20 versus Sony A300, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and A300 (10MP) and the VS20 (1/2.3") and A300 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The VS20 was manufactured 4 years after the A300 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the VS20 matches up vs the A300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony A300

 VS20 A300 
RevealedJanuary 2012January 2008More modern by 49 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax VS20

 A300 VS20 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony A300

 VS20 A300 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax VS20 offers 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) whilst the Sony A300 has measurements of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax VS20 versus Sony A300 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the VS20 and the A300.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the VS20 and A300 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The image below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the VS20 and A300.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The VS20 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax VS20 will produce more detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images far more aggressively. The more modern VS20 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography info
Sony A300 Portrait photography info
36
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
59
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography information
Sony A300 Street photography information
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography info
Sony A300 Sports photography info
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
54
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography advice
Sony A300 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than average in class (235g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
45
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
Landscape photography with Sony A300
47
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
57
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging factors
Sony A300 Vlogging factors
30
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
9
no video
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony A300
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-01-25 2008-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-4.8 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2500s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
WB 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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 lb) 632 grams (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 538
Other
Battery ID D-LI122 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $106 $0