• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax VS20 advantages over Canon SX50

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $450 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    38 mm vs 105 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    235g vs 603g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Canon SX50 advantages over Pentax VS20

  • 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)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • More telephoto lens reach
    1,200 mm vs 560 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 315 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
    13.0 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Pentax VS20
Pentax VS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX50
Canon SX50

Review Excerpt

  • 50x optical zoom with whopping 24-1200mm-equivalent reach; Excellent image quality for its class; 2.8-inch vari-angle LCD; Ergonomic design and controls; Improved image stabilization and Zoom Framing Assist; Shoots RAW; Full 1080p HD video.

  • Poor low-light AF performance; Image quality deteriorates at ISO 800 and above; Sluggish cycle times; Below average battery life.

  • Read our Canon SX50 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

Canon SX50
Olympus SZ-12
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX50 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

Canon SX50
Olympus SZ-16
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX50 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

Canon SX50
Olympus SZ-15
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Bigger pixels
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Canon SX50 vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Nikon P600

Pentax VS20
Nikon P600
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Nikon P600

Canon SX50
Nikon P600
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Bigger pixels
  • $345
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX50 vs Nikon P600

Compared to Canon SX60

Pentax VS20
Canon SX60
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Canon SX60

Canon SX50
Canon SX60
  • $459
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $449
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Canon SX50 vs Canon SX60

Compare Other Cameras?