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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Introduced January 2020
  • Superseded the Nikon D750
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-S2
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

In this article, we will be evaluating the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-S1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the D780 (25MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the D780 (Full frame) and K-S1 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The D780 was launched 5 years later than the K-S1 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a short summation of how the D780 scores versus the K-S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Pentax K-S1

 D780 K-S1 
IntroducedJanuary 2020August 2014More recent by 66 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2359k921kSharper screen (+1438k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Nikon D780

 K-S1 D780 

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-S1

 D780 K-S1 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon D780 offers exterior measurements of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S1 has proportions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D780 and Pentax K-S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the D780 versus the K-S1.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the D780 and K-S1 is 57 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor measurements simply by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph below may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the D780 and K-S1.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The D780 due to its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon D780 will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer D780 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography details
86
focusing manually
high MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
78
focusing manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D780
Street photography with Pentax K-S1
71
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
has touch to focus
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average in class (558g)
good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
82
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
high MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery (2,260 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery power (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
71
great battery (2,260 shots)
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
has touch to focus
high MP (25 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
lighter than average in class (558 grams)
good resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D780 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography features
81
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
high MP (25 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
great battery (2,260 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
32
touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (558g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Pentax K-S1
 Nikon D780Pentax K-S1
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D780 Pentax K-S1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2020-01-07 2014-08-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 Prime MII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 25 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 6048 x 4024 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 51200 51200
Highest boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 51 11
Cross focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 2,359 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings no built-in flash Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 840 grams (1.85 pounds) 558 grams (1.23 pounds)
Dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 2260 photographs 410 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15b D-LI109
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two Single
Retail cost $2,297 $339