• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Canon ELPH 300 HS advantages over Pentax VS20

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.54 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Lighter weight
    141g vs 235g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    15 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.4 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax VS20 advantages over Canon ELPH 300 HS

  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 120 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 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax VS20

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Longer exposure
Pentax VS20
Panasonic DMC-FX48S
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $259
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Canon SD980 IS
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Faster shutter
Pentax VS20
Canon SD980 IS
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Olympus SZ-12

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Olympus SZ-12
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-12
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out

Compared to Canon 320 HS

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Canon 320 HS
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More dots on screen
Pentax VS20
Canon 320 HS
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $231
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus SZ-16

Canon ELPH 300 HS
Olympus SZ-16
  • $235
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
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 Other Cameras?