• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax VS20 advantages over Nikon S5300

  • Larger lens aperture
    f/3.1 vs f/3.7
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 200 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Faster shutter
    1/2500 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon S5300 advantages over Pentax VS20

  • Less expensive
    $180 vs $250 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Thinner
    20 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    138g vs 235g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.6 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax VS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon S5300

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
Nikon S5300
Olympus SZ-12
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach

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
Nikon S5300
Olympus SZ-16
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger lens aperture

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
Nikon S5300
Olympus SZ-15
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Nikon S3600

Pentax VS20
Nikon S3600
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
Nikon S5300
Nikon S3600
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $350
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon 340 HS

Pentax VS20
Canon 340 HS
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon S5300
Canon 340 HS
  • $210
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $199
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
Compare Other Cameras?