Clicky

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
93
Imaging
45
Features
60
Overall
51
Nikon 1 S2 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Nikon 1 S2
(Full Review)
  • 14.2MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 190g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Launched May 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon 1 S1
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Launched May 2012
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Nikon 1 S2 and Pentax K-01, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the 1 S2 (14.2MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the 1 S2 (1") and K-01 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The 1 S2 was brought out 2 years later than the K-01 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Nikon 1 S2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the 1 S2 grades vs the K-01 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon 1 S2 over the Pentax K-01

 1 S2 K-01 
LaunchedMay 2014May 2012More recent by 25 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Nikon 1 S2

 K-01 1 S2 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Nikon 1 S2 and Pentax K-01

 1 S2 K-01 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon 1 S2 provides outer measurements of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") along with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon 1 S2 and Pentax K-01 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the 1 S2 versus the K-01.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the 1 S2 and K-01 is 93 and 76 respectively.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements merely by going through specs. The graphic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 S2 and K-01.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 1 S2 due to its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-01 will produce greater detail having its extra 1.8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more modern 1 S2 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography factors
60
focusing manually
decent MP (14.2 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
74
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Street photography info
Pentax K-01 Street photography info
71
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than others (190g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
heavier than competition in class (561g)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Sports photography details
Pentax K-01 Sports photography details
60
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
max frames per second high (60.0 fps)
decent MP (14.2MP)
good sensor size (1")
has tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (270 CIPA)
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery pack (540 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lack of phase detect autofocus
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-01 Travel photography advice
66
lighter than others (190g)
decent MP (14.2 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery power (270 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
good battery pack (540 per charge)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
heavier than competition in class (561g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography highlights
60
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
decent MP (14.2MP)
good sensor size (1")
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (270 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
80
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (540 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 S2 Vlogging features
Pentax K-01 Vlogging features
33
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (190g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon 1 S2 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 S2 and Pentax K-01
 Nikon 1 S2Pentax K-01
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon 1 S2 Pentax K-01
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-05-21 2012-05-30
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 4A -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.1 x 8.8mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 115.3mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14.2MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3072 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 171 81
Cross type focus points 73 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 13 151
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 60.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Fill, fill w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/ slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 190 grams (0.42 lbs) 561 grams (1.24 lbs)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 270 pictures 540 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL22 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $450 $899