• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 84.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax VS20 advantages over Canon G9X Mark II

  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away

Canon G9X Mark II advantages over Pentax VS20

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.41 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.1
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Newer
    8 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.2 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.0 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    31 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax VS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon G9X Mark II

Review Excerpt

  • Impressive image quality; Improved JPEGs and good high ISO quality for its class; Compact camera body; Fast maximum aperture; Reliable autofocus; Improved performance.

  • No tilting display; No viewfinder; Lens is not very wide; Slow buffer clearing; Mediocre battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Canon S100

Pentax VS20
Canon S100
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon G9X Mark II
Canon S100
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Olympus SZ-12

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-12
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
Canon G9X Mark II
Olympus SZ-12
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Wider angle lens

Compared to Olympus SZ-16

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-16
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
Canon G9X Mark II
Olympus SZ-16
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Wider angle lens

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-15
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
Canon G9X Mark II
Olympus SZ-15
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Wider angle lens

Compared to Canon G9X

Pentax VS20
Canon G9X
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon G9X Mark II
Canon G9X
  • $449
  • 1 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $369
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger RAW buffer
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