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Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690 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 W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched February 2012
Photography Glossary

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Pentax VS20 versus Sony W690, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the W690 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was revealed around the same time to the W690 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the VS20 grades versus the W690 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony W690

 VS20 W690 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Pentax VS20

 W690 VS20 

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony W690

 VS20 W690 
LaunchedJanuary 2012February 2012Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax VS20 offers 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) while the Sony W690 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

Check out the Pentax VS20 versus Sony W690 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the VS20 versus the W690.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and W690 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing purely by checking out a spec sheet. The visual here may give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the VS20 and W690.

Clearly, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of files although you might want to take the production date of the cameras into account.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
Portrait photography with Sony W690
36
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
34
MP count decent (16MP)
features face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography advice
Sony W690 Street photography advice
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax VS20
Sports photography with Sony W690
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography details
Sony W690 Travel photography details
68
lighter than average in class (235g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
great zoom (560mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
68
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography factors
Sony W690 Landscape photography factors
47
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
43
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging factors
Sony W690 Vlogging factors
30
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (235 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony W690
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio VS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-01-25 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 2.80 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 235 grams (0.52 lbs) 142 grams (0.31 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 94 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 220 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI122 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $106 $297