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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Revealed July 2014
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Released May 2009
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony H20, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and H20 (10MP) but they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The XG-1 was announced 5 years after the H20 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony H20 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the XG-1 grades vs the H20 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony H20

 XG-1 H20 
ReleasedJuly 2014May 2009More modern by 63 months
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Pentax XG-1

 H20 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony H20

 XG-1 H20 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax XG-1 has got outside measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") having a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony H20 has dimensions of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Check out the Pentax XG-1 versus Sony H20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the XG-1 vs the H20.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and H20 is 66 and 87 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing specs. The pic below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and H20.

All in all, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax XG-1 to render extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger XG-1 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography factors
Sony H20 Portrait photography factors
40
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
manual focus
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography advice
Sony H20 Street photography advice
43
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than average (567g)
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than competition in class (250g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography advice
Sony H20 Sports photography advice
45
long zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax XG-1
Travel photography with Sony H20
52
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1248mm)
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery power (240 per charge)
more heavy than average (567 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
51
built-in flash
great reach (380mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (250g)
low MP (10MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony H20 as a Landscape photography camera
45
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery power (240 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
36
manual focus
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Vlogging information
Sony H20 Vlogging information
25
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
more heavy than average (567 grams)
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (38mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (250 grams)
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony H20
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-07-15 2009-05-14
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focusing distance 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dots -
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 9.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567 gr (1.25 lbs) 250 gr (0.55 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
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 240 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LB-060 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $599 $249