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Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
46
Overall
41

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V 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
  • Released January 2012
Sony HX9V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 245g - 105 x 59 x 34mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Pentax VS20 and Sony HX9V, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the HX9V (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was launched 7 months after the HX9V which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the VS20 scores against the HX9V in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony HX9V

 VS20 HX9V 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012July 2011More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX9V over the Pentax VS20

 HX9V VS20 
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony HX9V

 VS20 HX9V 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax VS20 comes with exterior measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony HX9V has proportions of 105mm x 59mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 245 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax VS20 and Sony HX9V 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 are working with at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the VS20 compared to the HX9V.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and HX9V is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by viewing technical specs. The picture below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the VS20 and HX9V.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the exact same resolution therefore you can expect comparable quality of images though you will want to consider the age of the cameras into account. The younger VS20 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography information
Sony HX9V Portrait photography information
36
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
39
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography highlights
Sony HX9V Street photography highlights
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (245g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
Sony HX9V Sports photography details
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
44
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography features
Sony HX9V Travel photography features
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
no Time Lapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than average (245g)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography features
Sony HX9V Landscape photography features
47
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
49
focusing manually
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging factors
Sony HX9V Vlogging factors
30
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic jack
33
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (245 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
no mic port
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony HX9V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony HX9V
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-01-25 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
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 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-384mm (16.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating XtraFine LCD display with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 4.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (60fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 gr (0.52 lb) 245 gr (0.54 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 105 x 59 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $106 $328