Pentax XG-1 vs Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Pentax XG-1 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Pentax XG-1 was introduced in July 2014 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V was introduced in July 2012. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax XG-1 over Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V over Pentax XG-1.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Pentax XG-1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V have 3.0" Fixed screens with 460k dot and 922k dot resolutions respectively.

Electronic Viewfinder on Pentax XG-1

Pentax XG-1 has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 200k dot resolution. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V.

BSI-CMOS Sensor

Pentax XG-1 features a 16 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 28.1 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V features a 18.2 megapixel 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 6.17 x 4.55 mm and a total area of 20.7 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 12,800.

The cameras have BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Pentax XG-1 can take pictures up to 4608 x 3456 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 3648 x 2736, 2592 x 1944, 640 x 480, 4608 x 3072, 4608 x 2592, 2048 x 1536, 1920 x 1080 with 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4896 x 3672 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4912 x 1080, 4896 x 2752, 3648 x 2736, 3424 x 1920, 2592 x 1944, 1920 x 1080, 640 x 480 with 4:3, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in [y] image stabilization.

Built-in GPS on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V has a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology which allows you to automatically tag the location where you took your photos. You can later categorize, organize, and search for photos based on location. This is very useful for travel and outdoor photographers for documenting the locations where images were captured.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in GPS.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Pentax XG-1 has a Type D HDMI and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V has an HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Pentax XG-1 comes with LB-060 battery pack with battery life of 240 shots and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V comes with NP-BG1 battery pack with battery life of 320 shots.

External Storage Slots

Pentax XG-1 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/2000 sec on Pentax XG-1, and up to 1/1600 sec on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. Pentax XG-1 can shoot continuously up to 9.0 fps. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 6.00 m on Pentax XG-1 and 7.10 m on Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V..

Pentax XG-1 body has dimensions of 119 x 89 x 98 mm (4.69 x 3.5 x 3.86") and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V body has dimensions of 107 x 62 x 35 mm (4.21 x 2.44 x 1.38"). Pentax XG-1 weighs 567 g (1.25 lb / 20.00 oz) and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V weighs 254 g (0.56 lb / 8.96 oz).

Pentax XG-1

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V

119 mm

89 mm

107 mm

62 mm

89 mm

62 mm

98 mm

35 mm