Clicky

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
88
Imaging
41
Features
51
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-3 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Olympus SH-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Old Model is Olympus SH-2
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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-S2
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Olympus SH-3 and Pentax K-S1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SH-3 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is relatively well matched but the SH-3 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The SH-3 was announced 18 months after the K-S1 which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SH-3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the SH-3 scores against the K-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SH-3 over the Pentax K-S1

 SH-3 K-S1 
RevealedFebruary 2016August 2014More modern by 18 months
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Olympus SH-3

 K-S1 SH-3 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SH-3 and Pentax K-S1

 SH-3 K-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus SH-3 comes with external measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has specifications of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SH-3 and Pentax K-S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SH-3 vs the K-S1.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SH-3 and K-S1 is 88 and 69 respectively.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The picture below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SH-3 and K-S1.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SH-3 using its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-S1 will give you greater detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The newer SH-3 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography factors
44
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
77
manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Street photography features
Pentax K-S1 Street photography features
70
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
features touch focus
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Sports photography features
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography features
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery power (380 per charge)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
low battery life (410 shots)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SH-3
Travel photography with Pentax K-S1
74
great battery power (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
features touch focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.0)
60
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery life (410 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography advice
55
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
exports RAW files
great battery power (380 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
73
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
low battery life (410 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-3 Vlogging details
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging details
35
pretty wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection autofocus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (271 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus SH-3 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-3 and Pentax K-S1
 Olympus Stylus SH-3Pentax K-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus SH-3 Pentax K-S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-02-08 2014-08-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII Prime MII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.5 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.30 m (at ISO 3200) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (15 fps), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271 grams (0.60 lb) 558 grams (1.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 380 pictures 410 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $579 $339