Leica C vs Pentax S1
92 Imaging
37 Features
59 Overall
45


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Leica C vs Pentax S1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-200mm (F2.0-5.9) lens
- 195g - 103 x 63 x 28mm
- Introduced September 2013
- Additionally Known as Typ112
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Introduced March 2011

Leica C vs Pentax S1 Overview
Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Leica C vs Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Leica and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the C (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the C (1/1.7") and S1 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor size.

The C was released 2 years later than the S1 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before diving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the C matches up versus the S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Leica C vs Pentax S1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Leica C & Pentax Optio S1. The complete galleries are available at Leica C Gallery & Pentax S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Leica C over the Pentax S1
C | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | More recent by 31 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+690k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Leica C
S1 | C |
---|
Common features in the Leica C and Pentax S1
C | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Leica C vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Leica C offers outer dimensions of 103mm x 63mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 195 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Look at the Leica C vs Pentax S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the C and the S1.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the C and S1 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Leica C vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by seeing specifications. The visual below will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the C and S1.
To sum up, each of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The C due to its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Pentax S1 will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher C will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Leica C vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Leica C vs Pentax S1 Specifications
Leica C | Pentax Optio S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Leica | Pentax |
Model type | Leica C | Pentax Optio S1 |
Also referred to as | Typ112 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-09-08 | 2011-03-02 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.7" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 7.44 x 5.58mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 41.5mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4288 x 3216 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 12800 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-200mm (7.1x) | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/2.0-5.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 4.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 920 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 200 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 1% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.46x | - |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 4s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m | 3.90 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 195g (0.43 pounds) | 157g (0.35 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 103 x 63 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 photos | 260 photos |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $1,299 | $174 |