Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX100
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37


92 Imaging
50 Features
44 Overall
47
Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX100 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced January 2012
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- " Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
- 179g - 63 x 63 x 56mm
- Revealed September 2013

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX100 Overview
Let's examine more closely at the Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX100, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Lens-style by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the QX100 (20MP) is relatively similar but the VS20 (1/2.3") and QX100 (1") come with different sensor sizing.

The VS20 was released 19 months before the QX100 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX100 being a Lens-style camera.
Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the VS20 matches up vs the QX100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX100 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio VS20 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100. The complete galleries are available at Pentax VS20 Gallery & Sony QX100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony QX100
VS20 | QX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | " | Bigger screen (+3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 0k | Clearer screen (+460k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony QX100 over the Pentax VS20
QX100 | VS20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | September 2013 | ![]() | January 2012 | Fresher by 19 months |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony QX100
VS20 | QX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lack of selfie screen |
Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX100 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax VS20 comes with physical 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) whilst the Sony QX100 has dimensions of 63mm x 63mm x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") and a weight of 179 grams (0.39 lbs).
Check out the Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX100 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the VS20 versus the QX100.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and QX100 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX100 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the VS20 and QX100.
As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The VS20 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony QX100 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older VS20 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony QX100 Specifications
Pentax Optio VS20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model | Pentax Optio VS20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Lens-style |
Introduced | 2012-01-25 | 2013-09-05 |
Body design | Compact | Lens-style |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 20MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 5472 x 3648 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 160 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 3 | - |
Cross focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-560mm (20.0x) | 28-100mm (3.6x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-4.8 | f/1.8-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 3cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3 inch | - |
Resolution of display | 460k dot | 0k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | Depends on connected smartphone |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 4s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2500s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 2.80 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | None |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
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 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 235 grams (0.52 lbs) | 179 grams (0.39 lbs) |
Dimensions | 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") | 63 x 63 x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 200 photographs |
Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery model | D-LI122 | NP-BN, |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 10 secs) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Cost at launch | $106 | $268 |