Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37


64 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Announced May 2011
- Previous Model is Sony A100

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 Overview
Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax VS20 versus Sony A580, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the A580 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the VS20 (1/2.3") and A580 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

The VS20 was launched 9 months after the A580 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a simple overview of how the VS20 matches up versus the A580 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio VS20 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax VS20 Gallery & Sony A580 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony A580
VS20 | A580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | January 2012 | ![]() | May 2011 | Newer by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Pentax VS20
A580 | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+462k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony A580
VS20 | A580 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither includes Touch screen |
Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax VS20 features outer dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Sony A580 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).
Compare the Pentax VS20 versus Sony A580 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the VS20 against the A580.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the VS20 and A580 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reading through specifications. The image underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the VS20 and A580.
To sum up, both of the cameras come with the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The VS20 features the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF harder. The more recent VS20 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 Specifications
Pentax Optio VS20 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio VS20 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2012-01-25 | 2011-05-26 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4912 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 3 | 15 |
Cross type focus points | - | 3 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Lens zoom range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-4.8 | - |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 143 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 922k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 95 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2500 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 2.80 m | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 gr (0.52 lb) | 599 gr (1.32 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1121 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 1050 images |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI122 | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | Two |
Cost at launch | $106 | $848 |