Clicky

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released July 2020
Pentax S1
(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
  • Revealed March 2011
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Nikon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and S1 (14MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and S1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor measurements.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The Z5 was revealed 9 years after the S1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the Z5 scores against the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Pentax S1

 Z5 S1 
RevealedJuly 2020March 2011More modern by 115 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Nikon Z5

 S1 Z5 

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Pentax S1

 Z5 S1 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon Z5 offers external measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z5 vs Pentax 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 based on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the Z5 and the S1.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z5 and S1 is 62 and 93 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes just by going over specs. The picture underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the Z5 and S1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Z5 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Nikon Z5 will offer you greater detail because of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The newer Z5 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography details
Pentax S1 Portrait photography details
85
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
35
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography factors
Pentax S1 Street photography factors
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competitors in class (675 grams)
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z5
Sports photography with Pentax S1
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proof
good battery (470 shots)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (4.5 fps)
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography factors
Pentax S1 Travel photography factors
68
good battery (470 per charge)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
offers touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
more heavy than competitors in class (675 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 Landscape photography details
Pentax S1 Landscape photography details
86
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
good battery (470 shots)
has dual storage slots
42
focusing manually
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
34
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors in class (675g)
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Pentax S1
 Nikon Z5Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Z5 Pentax Optio S1
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2020-07-20 2011-03-02
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 6016 x 4016 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 273 9
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 15 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.5 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash settings Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 675 grams (1.49 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 470 photos 260 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL15c D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 2 Single
Pricing at release $1,399 $174