Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37


91 Imaging
43 Features
56 Overall
48
Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 Key Specs
(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
(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- Superseded the Sony WX350

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").

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.

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio VS20 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500. The whole galleries are viewable at Pentax VS20 Gallery & Sony WX500 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2015 | ![]() | January 2012 | Newer by 39 months |
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer screen (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax VS20 and Sony WX500
VS20 | WX500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax VS20 vs Sony WX500 Specifications
Pentax Optio VS20 | Sony 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 |