Jump to a part

Pentax Optio V20

Digital Camera Review

This review is organized into 15 pages

Next: Page 1

Physical Tour

December 17, 2008 By Steve Morgenstern

0 Comments
(add your own)

Section The Good The Bad

Tour

Handsome display, widely spaced controls

Ordinary design, oddly placed tripod socket

Testing/Performance

Good low light, dynamic range and video scores

Problems with white balance and resolution performance

Components

5x zoom lens, bright richly colored LCD

No optical viewfinder, uneven flash

Design/Layout

Well designed control layout, easy-to-use menu system

Generic camera design, nearly borderless screen attracts fingerprints

Modes

Multiple auto modes tailored to user preferences

Ineffective burst mode

Control Options

Better-than-nothing manual focus

No manual exposure control

Image Parameters

Extensive selection of size and compression choices

No RAW file support

Connectivity/Extras

Decent included software

Easy to insert battery incorrectly

Our search for inexpensive point-and-shoot cameras offering good performance for not much money leads us to the 8-megapixel Pentax Optio V20, a compact model with a big 3-inch LCD screen and a 5x optical zoom that provides far more flexibility when composing shots than the 3x lens typicall found in this camera category. The V20 lists for $249.95, though we've seen it selling at closer to $200 from several discounters, a nice price considering the large screen and extended zoom. Lab testing results overall make the V20 an average performer, a bit behind the pack in some areas, a skinch ahead in others. Combined with an easy-to-use menu system and a lightweight, pocket-friendly size and shape, it's a camera worth considering for casual use.

Shop for the Pentax Optio V20

Loading Recently Viewed Products

Latest News
& Reviews

02-Feb-2012
Pentax's risky K-01 is like no other mirrorless camera

Pentax has made a brave move with their latest mirrorless system camera: they’ve to ignored all prevailing trends in the space, and announced a new model that strongly favors form over function (gasp!). Read More...
31-Jan-2012
Nikon launches Coolpix P510, the world's longest superzoom

The P510’s 42x, 24-1000mm lens leaves others in the dust, while the P310 packs an f/1.8 piece to dominate dark shooting situations. Read More...
Nikon debuts S9300 and S6300 Coolpix long-zooms, two others 31-Jan Read More...
Three new entry-level compacts from Nikon 31-Jan Read More...
Is More Zoom Always Better? 31-Jan Read More...

Top Rated Point & Shoots

$459.99
1
Panasonic Lumix FZ150

Excellent image quality, speedy performance, and a great design add up to the best superzoom that has ever graced our labs. That distinction seems to change hands every week, but trust us when we say that the FZ150 is a truly great camera. Read full 16-part review

$459.99

Read full 16-part review

Types

Any Zoom

3,5.1

3.1x to 5x Zoom

5.1,10

5.1x to 9.9x Zoom

10,

10x & Larger Zoom

Any Megapixels

0,8

< 8 Megapixels

8,10

8 to 10 Megapixels

10,

> 10 Megapixels
$378.99
2
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

Canon's SX30 got a CMOS makeover that resulted in the SX40 HS, an impressive ultrazoom that captures beautiful shots in almost any scenario. Read full 16-part review

$378.99

Read full 16-part review

Types

Any Zoom

3,5.1

3.1x to 5x Zoom

5.1,10

5.1x to 9.9x Zoom

10,

10x & Larger Zoom

Any Megapixels

0,8

< 8 Megapixels

8,10

8 to 10 Megapixels

10,

> 10 Megapixels
$428.00
3
Sony Cyber-shot HX100V

This professionally-geared ultrazoom offers some of the best color accuracy we've ever seen. It's a shame the other scores weren't quite so strong. Read full 16-part review

$428.00

Read full 16-part review

Types

Ultra-Zoom

Any Zoom

3,5.1

3.1x to 5x Zoom

5.1,10

5.1x to 9.9x Zoom

10,

10x & Larger Zoom

Any Megapixels

0,8

< 8 Megapixels

8,10

8 to 10 Megapixels

10,

> 10 Megapixels

16.8 MP
$295.00
4
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47

Panasonic resists the urge to cram more megapixels and more focal length into their latest ultrazoom. The FZ47 instead focuses on image quality and features, resulting in an incredibly strong camera that we loved shooting with. Read full 16-part review

$295.00

Read full 16-part review

Types

Any Zoom

3,5.1

3.1x to 5x Zoom

5.1,10

5.1x to 9.9x Zoom

10,

10x & Larger Zoom

Any Megapixels

0,8

< 8 Megapixels

8,10

8 to 10 Megapixels

10,

> 10 Megapixels
$418.00
5
Canon PowerShot S100

Canon's PowerShot S100 improves on the popular S95 and takes its place at the top of the point-and-shoot food chain. Read full 16-part review

$418.00

Read full 16-part review

Types

Any Zoom

3,5.1

3.1x to 5x Zoom

5.1,10

5.1x to 9.9x Zoom

10,

10x & Larger Zoom

Any Megapixels

0,8

< 8 Megapixels

8,10

8 to 10 Megapixels

10,

> 10 Megapixels