Pentax Optio VS20

115 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
price (26)
usability (21)
performance (19)
zoom (13)
portability (8)

Negative
image quality (8)
battery (7)
screen (6)
color (5)
reliability (3)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 115 reviews of Pentax Optio VS20. The average rating for this product is 3.2/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. People really like the portability and zoom. The performance and usability are also appreciated. The reliability and color get negative views.

price, usability, performance, zoom, portability

image quality, battery, screen, color, reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Pentax Optio VS20 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 86/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 115 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(35% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (12% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (12% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (22% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (20% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

price
Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)

usability
Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)

performance
Show positive (79%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)

zoom
Show positive (87%)Show negative (13%)(Show all)

image quality
Show positive (43%)Show negative (57%)(Show all)

Show more features

Showing 64 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Disclaimer:

Below is a list of reviews for this or similar products. If you think this grouping is wrong please click here to flag.
Read more on our FAQ’s page.

Showing 1 - 29 of 64 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (43)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Pentax Optio VS20

alaTest has collected and analyzed 13 user reviews of Pentax Optio VS20 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the performance and portability. The size and price are also mentioned favorably. Many are less positive about the reliability and energy efficiency.

usability, price, size, portability, performance

battery, screen, design, energy, reliability

77% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Pentax Optio VS20

alaTest has collected and analyzed 4 user reviews of Pentax Optio VS20 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the image quality. The durability is also mentioned favorably, but some have doubts about the reliability and portability. There are some mixed views about the performance.

price, durability, image quality

zoom, portability, reliability

75% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.ca)

Amazon.ca review summary for Pentax Optio VS20

alaTest has collected and analyzed 2 user reviews of Pentax Optio VS20 from Amazon.ca. The average user rating for this product is 3.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.ca. Views about the zoom and lens are on the whole positive.

lens, zoom

50% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Gavin Stoker (techradar.com)

Pentax Optio VS20 review

Inexpensive travel zoom with controls for horizontal and vertical shooting

Inexpensive ; Broad focal range ; Easy to use ; Automatic panorama stitching

Autofocus easily confused ; White balance varies ; Some 'effects' look like mistakes ; So-so battery life ; Twin controls are a gimmick

Most compact digital cameras are depressingly identikit, so our spirits lift when a manufacturer attempts a different approach. But is the 16 megapixel Pentax Optio VS20 trading on gimmicks?

May, 2012

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Gavin Stoker (pocket-lint.com)

Pentax Optio VS20

Buy a battery grip for your professional or semi pro digital SLR and it will come with a second set of essential controls to one side near the base, including an additional shutter-release button. That's because grip and body make for a big and bulky...

Affordable, plenty of creative framing opportunities, simple to use, automatic in-camera panorama stitching, smattering of digital effects filters

Inconsistent performance from autofocus, exposure and white balance, some digital filter effects look more like camera mistakes, below average battery life, dual controls more gimmick than essential

The Pentax Optio VS20 is not quite the bargain it may initially seem. But set against a hit-and-miss performance is the fact that here we have a broad focal range that will in theory allow a wide variety of framing options without having to physically...

Mar, 2012

Partner Source

Read the full review

Expert review by : Ben Pitt (expertreviews.co.uk)

Pentax Optio VS20 review

The portrait-orientation controls are interesting but not much practical use; image quality is below par

Apr, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by : Nik Rawlinson (cnet.co.uk)

Pentax Optio VS20 review

Ignore their looks and the Pentax Optio VS20 appears to offer the same spec as the twice-the-price Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30 . Both sport a 20x zoom, resolution in the middle teens and the now obligatory HD movie mode.

Inexpensive; Two shutter buttons; Long zoom.

Some colour interference; Disappointing movie performance.

You'll struggle to find a new camera with such impressive specs any cheaper. Sadly, the Pentax Optio VS20's performance didn't stand up to close scrutiny. The dual shutter buttons are a neat feature, but you may be better provided by a high-end camera...

Mar, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by : paul_smart (gadgetspeak.com)

Pentax Optio VS20

This is another small digital camera from a name more associated with lenses rather than cameras. But they do make rather good cameras as well. This offering has a feature that I have never seen before on any camera I have reviewed.

The Pentax Optio VS20 compact digital camera measures 11x6x3.5cm the last figure increases by between 3 and 5.5cm dependant on the amount of zoom. It weights 234grams. The left side has a tripod screw fitment as indeed does the base which also has a...

Jun, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by : Matt Tuffin (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Pentax Optio VS20 Review

Can the Pentax Optio VS20's innovative dual shutter release elevate it above a normal compact?

Clever dual shutter release, decent sharpness at wide angle

Unpredictable image quality, chunky body

In essence the VS20 commits a few crimes against photography, the worse of which being unpredictability. Neither the lens nor white balance can be depended on from one shot to the next, making the VS20 an unknown quantity in most situations.

May, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by (ephotozine.com)

Pentax Optio VS20 Pocket Zoom Camera Review

The Pentax Optio VS20 is the latest pocket zoom from Pentax and not only features a 20x optical zoom lens, but a unique dual shutter and zoom control. Find out how it performs in our review.

Good value; 20x optical zoom; Dual shutter / zoom control; Vertical neck strap an option; Electronic level; Excellent macro mode

Quite large

Apr, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by : Michael Palmer (steves-digicams.com)

PENTAX Optio VS20 Preview

PENTAX has just announced its latest Optio point-and-shoot digital camera, the VS20, with a focus on its 20x optical zoom (a 35mm equivalent of 28-560mm) and flexibility in shooting. Meaning, the VS20 comes with a few special features to help shoot...

Jan, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by : Gavin Stoker (photographyblog.com)

Pentax Optio VS20 Review

The Pentax Optio VS20 is a travel-zoom camera with a difference - it has not one but two shutter release buttons for easier portrait oriented shooting. Featuring a 20x, 28-560mm lens with a sensor-shift Shake Reduction system, the VS20's focal range...

Viewed purely as a 20x optical travel zoom costing £199 the Pentax Optio VS20 would seem like an enticing prospect enough, so perhaps we can forgive it the slightly crazy and unnecessary addition of two sets of shutter release buttons and matching...

Jan, 2013

Read the full review

Consumer review (buydig.com)