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Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
41
Overall
39

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 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
  • Announced January 2012
Sony WX30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.6-6.3) lens
  • 117g - 92 x 52 x 19mm
  • Released July 2011
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 Overview

Below is a complete analysis of the Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30, 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 WX30 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was released 7 months later than the WX30 and they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before going through a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the VS20 scores versus the WX30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony WX30

 VS20 WX30 
ReleasedJanuary 2012July 2011More recent by 7 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Reasons to pick Sony WX30 over the Pentax VS20

 WX30 VS20 
Screen resolution922k460kCrisper screen (+462k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony WX30

 VS20 WX30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. 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) and the Sony WX30 has dimensions of 92mm x 52mm x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Look at the Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the VS20 versus the WX30.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VS20 and WX30 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by looking at specifications. The graphic underneath will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the VS20 and WX30.

Plainly, both of those cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements and the same megapixels and you should expect similar quality of images though you should always take the release date of the products into consideration. The more modern VS20 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX30 as a Portrait photography camera
36
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
30
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax VS20
Street photography with Sony WX30
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235g)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography info
Sony WX30 Sports photography info
44
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
Sony WX30 Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
69
lighter than competition in class (117g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography advice
Sony WX30 Landscape photography advice
47
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
43
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX30 as a Vlogging camera
30
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony WX30
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-25 2011-07-25
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 3 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 25-125mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/2.6-6.3
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating XtraFine TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2500s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 3.70 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 grams (0.52 lb) 117 grams (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 92 x 52 x 19mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 250 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI122 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $106 $259