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Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V 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 HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was introduced 7 months later than the HX7V which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the VS20 matches up vs the HX7V for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony HX7V

 VS20 HX7V 
LaunchedJanuary 2012July 2011More recent by 7 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Pentax VS20

 HX7V VS20 
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony HX7V

 VS20 HX7V 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax VS20 enjoys exterior measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony HX7V has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the VS20 compared to the HX7V.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and HX7V is 90 and 92 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by seeing technical specs. The visual underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the VS20 and HX7V.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical resolution therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos but you really should factor the release date of the cameras into account. The younger VS20 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography factors
Sony HX7V Portrait photography factors
36
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
30
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography info
Sony HX7V Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography info
Sony HX7V Sports photography info
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than others in class (235g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
67
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
Landscape photography with Sony HX7V
47
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
42
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
Sony HX7V Vlogging advice
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
32
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony HX7V
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-25 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2500s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 4.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 lbs) 208 grams (0.46 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 ID D-LI122 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $106 $499