Pentax VS20 vs Canon SX720 HS

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Pentax VS20 vs Canon SX720 HS

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

Go in depth with our full Pentax VS20 Review.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
20.3 megapixels
24.00mm - 960.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX720 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX720 HS.

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Differences

Pentax VS20 advantages over Canon SX720 HS

Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon SX720 HS advantages over Pentax VS20

Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
More telephoto lens reach
960 mm vs 560 mm
Capture objects farther away
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

250 vs 200 shots
Capture more photos
Newer
9 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
More dots on screen
922k 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
20.3 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle lens
24 mm vs 28 mm
Capture more of the scene
Longer exposure
15 vs 4 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
5.9 fps vs 1.0 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
RAW file ability
Neither provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
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
Bulb shutter
Neither provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Pentax VS20

Pentax VS20

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Buy the Canon SX720 HS

Canon SX720 HS

All SX720 HS Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Pentax VS20.
Read our Pentax VS20 Preview

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SX720 HS, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon SX720 HS Shooter's Report

The Competition

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

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-12

Canon SX720 HS

Olympus SZ-12

$279
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$128
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Bulb shutter

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Olympus SZ-12

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

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-16

Canon SX720 HS

Olympus SZ-16

$279
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$230
1/2.3 inch

Slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Olympus SZ-16

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

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-15

Canon SX720 HS

Olympus SZ-15

$279
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
NFC

$162
1/2.3 inch

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Nikon A900

Pentax VS20

Nikon A900

$106
1/2.33 inch

Manual focus
Higher extended ISO

$397
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Nikon A900

Canon SX720 HS

Nikon A900

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Manual focus

$397
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Nikon A900

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Pentax VS20

Canon SX730 HS

$106
1/2.33 inch

Higher extended ISO

$399
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Canon SX730 HS

Canon SX720 HS

Canon SX730 HS

$279
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive

$399
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Canon SX720 HS vs Canon SX730 HS

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