Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX99

Let's take a more detailed look at the Pentax VS20 versus Sony HX99, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the HX99 (18MP) is fairly close but the VS20 (1/2.3") and HX99 (1/2.3-inch) come with different sensor size.

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The VS20 was released 7 years prior to the HX99 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the VS20 grades against the HX99 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Optio VS20 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax VS20 Gallery & Sony HX99 Gallery.

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax VS20 provides outer dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Sony HX99 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") with a weight of 242 grams (0.53 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax VS20 versus Sony HX99 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the VS20 against the HX99.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the VS20 and HX99 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Normally, it is tough to picture the contrast in sensor measurements just by looking through specifications. The photograph below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the VS20 and HX99.

To sum up, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The VS20 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony HX99 will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older VS20 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.