• 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 - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax VS20 advantages over Olympus TG-4

  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away

Olympus TG-4 advantages over Pentax VS20

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.1 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    100 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax VS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-4

Review Excerpt

  • Rugged and waterproof camera body; RAW image capture; fast f/2.0 maximum aperture; fun shooting modes; fast AF speeds for its class.

  • Heavy noise reduction, even at base ISO; no continuous RAW image capture; underwhelming video performance.

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
Olympus TG-4
Olympus SZ-12
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bulb shutter

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
Olympus TG-4
Olympus SZ-16
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach

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
Olympus TG-4
Olympus SZ-15
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Olympus TG-3

Pentax VS20
Olympus TG-3
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus TG-4
Olympus TG-3
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compared to Ricoh WG-5 GPS

Pentax VS20
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
Olympus TG-4
Ricoh WG-5 GPS
  • $452
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • RAW file ability
  • $297
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Faster shutter
Compare Other Cameras?