• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/3 inch 17.3mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 29.00mm - 87.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax VS20 advantages over Nikon S31

  • Larger sensor
    1/2.33 inch vs 1/3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 87 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    6 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon S31 advantages over Pentax VS20

  • Less expensive
    $120 vs $250 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 260 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    1.5 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax VS20
Pentax VS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S31
Nikon S31

Review Excerpt

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

Nikon S31
Olympus SZ-12
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S31 vs Olympus SZ-12

Compared to Nikon S30

Pentax VS20
Nikon S30
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Nikon S30

Nikon S31
Nikon S30
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Faster shutter
  • $120
  • 1/3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon S31 vs Nikon S30

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

Nikon S31
Olympus SZ-16
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S31 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

Nikon S31
Olympus SZ-15
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon S31 vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Nikon S33

Pentax VS20
Nikon S33
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $109
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Nikon S33

Nikon S31
Nikon S33
  • $89
  • 1/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $109
  • 1/3.1 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon S31 vs Nikon S33

Compare Other Cameras?