• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 7.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax W30 advantages over Canon D20

  • Less expensive
    $300 vs $350 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.88 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Lighter weight
    160g vs 227g
    Lighter weight

Canon D20 advantages over Pentax W30

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Larger sensor
    1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.5 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 280 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    13 years vs 18 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    461k vs 115k 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
    12.1 vs 7.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Higher extended ISO
    3200 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • 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 W30

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon D20
Canon D20

Review Excerpt

  • Good still and video image quality; Attractive, comfortable design; 3-inch LCD monitor that's easy to view in even bright sunlight.

  • Feature set lags behind current (2013) models; Performance average at best; Poor wide-angle optical quality; High chromatic aberration and corner softness.

  • Read our Canon D20 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus TG-810

Pentax W30
Olympus TG-810
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Olympus TG-810

Canon D20
Olympus TG-810
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels

Compare Canon D20 vs Olympus TG-810

Compared to Fujifilm XP150

Pentax W30
Fujifilm XP150
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $272
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Fujifilm XP150

Canon D20
Fujifilm XP150
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $272
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More pixels

Compare Canon D20 vs Fujifilm XP150

Compared to Olympus TG-830

Pentax W30
Olympus TG-830
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Olympus TG-830

Canon D20
Olympus TG-830
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $254
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon D20 vs Olympus TG-830

Compared to Fujifilm XP200

Pentax W30
Fujifilm XP200
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Fujifilm XP200

Canon D20
Fujifilm XP200
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon D20 vs Fujifilm XP200

Compared to Canon D30

Pentax W30
Canon D30
  • $235
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax W30 vs Canon D30

Canon D20
Canon D30
  • $330
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $299
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Canon D20 vs Canon D30

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