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Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II front
Portability
58
Imaging
52
Features
77
Overall
62

Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II 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
  • Launched January 2012
Sony RX10 II
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-200mm (F2.8) lens
  • 813g - 129 x 88 x 102mm
  • Introduced June 2015
  • Replaced the Sony RX10
  • Replacement is Sony RX10 III
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Large Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the RX10 II (20MP) is pretty close but the VS20 (1/2.3") and RX10 II (1") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The VS20 was launched 4 years prior to the RX10 II and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX10 II being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the VS20 grades versus the RX10 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony RX10 II

 VS20 RX10 II 

Reasons to pick Sony RX10 II over the Pentax VS20

 RX10 II VS20 
IntroducedJune 2015January 2012More recent by 41 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k460kSharper screen (+769k dot)

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony RX10 II

 VS20 RX10 II 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you need to think about its weight and size. The Pentax VS20 comes with physical measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Sony RX10 II has specifications of 129mm x 88mm x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0") having a weight of 813 grams (1.79 lbs).

Check the Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the VS20 against the RX10 II.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the VS20 and RX10 II is 90 and 58 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing specs. The visual underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the VS20 and RX10 II.

All in all, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The VS20 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Sony RX10 II will render greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older VS20 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography advice
Sony RX10 II Portrait photography advice
36
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
71
manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography details
Sony RX10 II Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
72
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
weather proof
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax VS20
Sports photography with Sony RX10 II
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
68
silent shooting (1/32,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
has tracking autofocus
weather proof
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony RX10 II as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than others in class (235 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
56
weather proof
megapixel count decent (20MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
lack of Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography highlights
Sony RX10 II Landscape photography highlights
47
you can focus manually
relatively wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
62
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
saves RAW files
weather proof
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax VS20
Vlogging with Sony RX10 II
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than others in class (235g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
31
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone jack
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony RX10 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony RX10 II
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio VS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 II
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Large Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-01-25 2015-06-10
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
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 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO - 64
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 3 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-200mm (8.3x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/2.8
Macro focus distance 3cm 3cm
Crop factor 5.9 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 14.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 2.80 m 10.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, fill-flash, slow sync, rear sync, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p) ,1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 235 grams (0.52 pounds) 813 grams (1.79 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 129 x 88 x 102mm (5.1" x 3.5" x 4.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 531
Other
Battery life - 400 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI122 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, continuous)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $106 $998