• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax VS20 advantages over Panasonic FZ200

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $599 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 110 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    235g vs 603g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Panasonic FZ200 advantages over Pentax VS20

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.1 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    12 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Review Excerpt

  • Max aperture f/2.8 across full 24x optical zoom range of Leica DC Vario-Elmarit-branded lens; Relatively sharp and detailed images for a superzoom camera; Full-res burst shooting at 12 frames per second; Advanced photographic capabilities (manual focusing/exposure controls, RAW image capture, etc.); Full HD video recording up to 60p.

  • Control scheme and menu layout frustrating to use, especially the over-reliance on the rear dial; Higher ISOs produce smudged and blurred images as noise reduction efforts increase; Tendency to clip highlights; EVF doesn't switch on automatically when you look through it.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ150

Pentax VS20
Panasonic FZ150
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
Panasonic FZ200
Panasonic FZ150
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $498
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO

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
Panasonic FZ200
Olympus SZ-12
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Leica V-LUX 4

Pentax VS20
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic FZ200
Leica V-LUX 4
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Headphone jack

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
Panasonic FZ200
Olympus SZ-16
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

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
Panasonic FZ200
Olympus SZ-15
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
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