Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5
90 Imaging
38 Features
35 Overall
36
95 Imaging
34 Features
29 Overall
32
Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 Key Specs
(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
- Released January 2012
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fixed Screen
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.4-5.9) lens
- 146g - 92 x 52 x 22mm
- Announced July 2010
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 Overview
In this write-up, we will be matching up the Pentax VS20 and Sony WX5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the VS20 (16MP) and WX5 (12MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe VS20 was revealed 19 months later than the WX5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before getting through a full comparison, below is a short highlight of how the VS20 grades against the WX5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Photography Glossary Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio VS20 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5. The full galleries are provided at Pentax VS20 Gallery and Sony WX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony WX5
| VS20 | WX5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Announced | January 2012 | July 2010 | Fresher by 19 months | |
| Focus manually | Dial exact focus | |||
| Screen sizing | 3" | 2.8" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Pentax VS20
| WX5 | VS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen resolution | 461k | 460k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony WX5
| VS20 | WX5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
| Selfie screen | Missing selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax VS20 comes with outer dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) whilst the Sony WX5 has measurements of 92mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.6" x 2.0" x 0.9") along with a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs).
Check the Pentax VS20 and Sony WX5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the VS20 vs the WX5.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and WX5 is 90 and 95 respectively.
Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the VS20 and WX5.
Clearly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax VS20 to give you extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more recent VS20 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.
Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthStreet Comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsSports Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesTravel Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideLandscape Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsVlogging Comparison
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope Camera
Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 Specifications
| Pentax Optio VS20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Make | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax Optio VS20 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
| Released | 2012-01-25 | 2010-07-08 |
| Body design | Compact | Compact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous AF | ||
| Single AF | ||
| AF tracking | ||
| Selective AF | ||
| Center weighted AF | ||
| AF multi area | ||
| AF live view | ||
| 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) | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
| Maximum aperture | f/3.1-4.8 | f/2.4-5.9 |
| Macro focusing distance | 3cm | 5cm |
| Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.8" |
| Screen resolution | 460 thousand dot | 461 thousand dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Screen technology | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | None |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 2 secs |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/2500 secs | 1/1600 secs |
| Continuous shooting speed | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Change WB | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 2.80 m | 5.10 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync |
| External flash | ||
| 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) | 1920 x 1080 (50 fps), 1440 x 1080 (50, 25fps), 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) |
| Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
| Mic jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Eye-Fi Connected | Eye-Fi Connected |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | None |
| Physical | ||
| Environmental seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 235 gr (0.52 lb) | 146 gr (0.32 lb) |
| Dimensions | 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") | 92 x 52 x 22mm (3.6" 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 ID | D-LI122 | NP-BN1 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/ SDHC/ SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | One | One |
| Launch price | $106 | $250 |