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Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
45
Features
51
Overall
47

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300 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
  • Announced January 2012
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Launched February 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony HX200V
  • Replacement is Sony HX400V
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Pentax VS20 and Sony HX300, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the HX300 (20MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was released 13 months before the HX300 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the VS20 grades versus the HX300 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony HX300

 VS20 HX300 

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Pentax VS20

 HX300 VS20 
LaunchedFebruary 2013January 2012Newer by 13 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony HX300

 VS20 HX300 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax VS20 has got exterior 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 Sony HX300 has specifications of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") having a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

See the Pentax VS20 and Sony HX300 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the VS20 and the HX300.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the VS20 and HX300 is 90 and 63 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through specifications. The image below will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the VS20 and HX300.

Plainly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Sony HX300 to provide more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged VS20 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography features
Sony HX300 Portrait photography features
36
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
43
you can focus manually
good resolution (20MP)
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax VS20
Street photography with Sony HX300
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (235g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
50
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competitors (623 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography features
Sony HX300 Sports photography features
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
55
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX300 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than average (235 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
54
good resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors (623 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
Landscape photography with Sony HX300
47
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
49
you can focus manually
decently wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging highlights
Sony HX300 Vlogging highlights
30
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (235g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic socket
25
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic socket
heavier than competitors (623g)
Photography Glossary

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony HX300
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-01-25 2013-02-20
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/2.8-6.3
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG -
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 lb) 623 grams (1.37 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID D-LI122 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal -
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $106 $339