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Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
33
Overall
36

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730 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
  • Announced January 2012
Sony W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730 Overview

Below is a in depth comparison of the Pentax VS20 and Sony W730, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the W730 (16MP) is relatively comparable and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was introduced 11 months earlier than the W730 and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the VS20 grades vs the W730 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony W730

 VS20 W730 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Pentax VS20

 W730 VS20 
RevealedJanuary 2013January 2012More recent by 11 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony W730

 VS20 W730 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax VS20 features physical 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 W730 has measurements of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") and a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

See the Pentax VS20 and Sony W730 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the VS20 and the W730.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the VS20 and W730 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements merely by going through specs. The graphic underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the VS20 and W730.

All in all, each of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same exact MP and you can expect comparable quality of photos but you have to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The older VS20 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 Portrait photography info
Sony W730 Portrait photography info
36
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
34
good resolution (16MP)
supports face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax VS20
Street photography with Sony W730
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
67
image stabilization (Optical)
features touch to focus
lighter than average (122 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography advice
Sony W730 Sports photography advice
44
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W730 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition (235g)
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
long zoom (560mm)
no Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
lighter than average (122 grams)
features touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography info
Sony W730 Landscape photography info
47
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse recording
38
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging advice
Sony W730 Vlogging advice
30
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (235g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone jack
34
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than average (122g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony W730
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-25 2013-01-08
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
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
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 3 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-224mm (9.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 2.80 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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, AVCHD
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 pounds) 122 grams (0.27 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
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 life - 240 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI122 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Retail cost $106 $138