• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 128.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax VS20 advantages over Panasonic TS5

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $400 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 128 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Faster shutter
    1/2500 vs 1/1300 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic TS5 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 370 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    28 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
  • 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 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Buy the Pentax VS20
Pentax VS20

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Buy the Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS5

Review Excerpt

  • Advanced Wi-Fi and Near-Field Communications for easy image sharing and even remote shooting (a first for a waterproof compact); Improved ruggedness; Manual exposure mode; Fast cycle times; 10fps continuous burst shooting at full resolution; Full 1080p HD video at up to 60p; Excellent battery life.

  • Mediocre still image quality; Slow startup; Slower-than-average autofocus; Choppy MP4 (most Web-friendly format) video quality.

  • Read our Panasonic TS5 Express Review

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

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-12

Panasonic TS5
Olympus SZ-12
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus SZ-12

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

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-16

Panasonic TS5
Olympus SZ-16
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus SZ-16

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

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-15

Panasonic TS5
Olympus SZ-15
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Olympus TG-850

Pentax VS20
Olympus TG-850
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Manual focus
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus TG-850

Panasonic TS5
Olympus TG-850
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $249
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Olympus TG-850

Compared to Panasonic TS6

Pentax VS20
Panasonic TS6
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Panasonic TS6

Panasonic TS5
Panasonic TS6
  • $249
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • $298
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive

Compare Panasonic TS5 vs Panasonic TS6

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