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Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 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
Sony A580
(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
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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.

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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.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony A580

 VS20 A580 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012May 2011Newer by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Pentax VS20

 A580 VS20 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k460kSharper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony A580

 VS20 A580 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 size comparison

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

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography highlights
Sony A580 Portrait photography highlights
36
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax VS20
Street photography with Sony A580
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
75
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography factors
Sony A580 Sports photography factors
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
78
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
better than average battery (1,050 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography details
Sony A580 Travel photography details
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
60
better than average battery (1,050 per charge)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography info
Sony A580 Landscape photography info
47
focusing manually
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (1,050 per charge)
has double storage slots
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A580 as a Vlogging camera
30
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony A580
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony 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