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Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5

Portability
90
Imaging
38
Features
35
Overall
36
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
29
Overall
32

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 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
  • Released January 2012
Sony WX5
(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
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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").

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The 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

        

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony WX5

 VS20 WX5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012July 2010Fresher by 19 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen sizing3"2.8"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Sony WX5 over the Pentax VS20

 WX5 VS20 
Screen resolution461k460kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony WX5

 VS20 WX5 
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the VS20 and WX5 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax VS20
Portrait photography with Sony WX5
36
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
20
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography info
Sony WX5 Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (235g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography details
Sony WX5 Sports photography details
44
great zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
33
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
no shutter priority
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography factors
Sony WX5 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than average (235 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
58
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax VS20 Landscape photography information
Sony WX5 Landscape photography information
46
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
36
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (2.8 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
no manual control
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 Vlogging features
Sony WX5 Vlogging features
30
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average (235 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f2.4)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic port
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony WX5
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony 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