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Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37
Pentax Optio VS20 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
43
Features
56
Overall
48

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 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
  • Introduced January 2012
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Superseded the Sony WX350
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 Overview

The following is a extensive overview of the Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the VS20 (16MP) and the WX500 (18MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The VS20 was introduced 4 years before the WX500 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the VS20 matches up versus the WX500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Sony WX500

 VS20 WX500 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Pentax VS20

 WX500 VS20 
AnnouncedApril 2015January 2012Newer by 39 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony WX500

 VS20 WX500 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax VS20 has got outside measurements of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") having a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Sony WX500 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") and a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Check out the Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the VS20 and the WX500.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VS20 and WX500 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at a spec sheet. The picture below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the VS20 and WX500.

As you can see, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different resolution. You can expect the Sony WX500 to resolve more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged VS20 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax VS20 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Portrait photography camera
36
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
39
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax VS20 Street photography highlights
Sony WX500 Street photography highlights
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
69
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (236 grams)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax VS20 Sports photography information
Sony WX500 Sports photography information
44
long zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
has tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
57
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
has tracking focus
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax VS20 Travel photography information
Sony WX500 Travel photography information
68
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
71
better than average battery power (360 CIPA)
lighter than others (236g)
MP count good (18MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax VS20
Landscape photography with Sony WX500
47
manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
49
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (18 megapixels)
better than average battery power (360 shots)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax VS20
Vlogging with Sony WX500
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition in class (235 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
35
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (236g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
missing mic support
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Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax VS20 and Sony WX500
 Pentax Optio VS20Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio VS20 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2012-01-25 2015-04-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 18 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 3 -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-560mm (20.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-4.8 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focusing range 3cm 5cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2500s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 2.80 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 235 gr (0.52 lb) 236 gr (0.52 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
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 - 360 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI122 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $106 $348