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Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
63
Features
48
Overall
57

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1 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 QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Revealed September 2014
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Pentax VS20 versus Sony QX1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Lens-style by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the VS20 (1/2.3") and QX1 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The VS20 was released 3 years earlier than the QX1 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise view of how the VS20 scores versus the QX1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony QX1

 VS20 QX1 
Screen dimension3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution460k0kClearer screen (+460k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Pentax VS20

 QX1 VS20 
RevealedSeptember 2014January 2012More modern by 31 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony QX1

 VS20 QX1 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Pentax VS20 has got physical measurements 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 QX1 has specifications of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") and a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Examine the Pentax VS20 versus Sony QX1 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 at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the VS20 and the QX1.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the VS20 and QX1 is 90 and 90 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by seeing specifications. The pic underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the VS20 and QX1.

Plainly, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The VS20 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Sony QX1 will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged VS20 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
Portrait photography with Sony QX1
36
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
66
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography features
Sony QX1 Street photography features
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235g)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
69
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
has touch focus
no moving screen
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (216g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Sports photography camera
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
56
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery life (440 per charge)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography info
Sony QX1 Travel photography info
68
lighter than average in class (235g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
better than average battery life (440 per charge)
has touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (216 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography information
Sony QX1 Landscape photography information
47
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
64
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (440 shots)
small screen ( inches)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
Sony QX1 Vlogging advice
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
32
touchscreen functionality
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have mic jack
heavier than average in class (216 grams)
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony QX1
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Sony Alpha QX1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Lens-style
Introduced 2012-01-25 2014-09-03
Body design Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-4.8 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Crop factor 5.9 1.6
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" -
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 0 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2500s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
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) 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
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 235g (0.52 lb) 216g (0.48 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 life - 440 shots
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI122 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots One One
Price at release $106 $500