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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Launched February 2019
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the S1 (24MP) and K-r (12MP) and the S1 (Full frame) and K-r (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The S1 was released 8 years later than the K-r and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the S1 scores vs the K-r in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax K-r

 S1 K-r 
IntroducedFebruary 2019March 2011More recent by 97 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution2100k921kClearer display (+1179k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic S1

 K-r S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-r

 S1 K-r 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 has exterior dimensions of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") having a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the S1 against the K-r.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and K-r is 54 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to see the difference between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The photograph below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and K-r.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The S1 due to its larger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic S1 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent S1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-r Portrait photography details
85
focusing manually
high flash sync (1/320s)
good megapixels (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S1
Street photography with Pentax K-r
70
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
supports focus by touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than others in class (1,021g)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-r Sports photography highlights
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shutter (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
terrible battery life (380 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Travel photography camera
59
environment sealing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus by touch
good megapixels (24MP)
terrible battery life (380 per charge)
heavier than others in class (1,021g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
47
built-in flash
not so great battery (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-r Landscape photography features
81
focusing manually
switch lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
two card slots
terrible battery life (380 shots)
65
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging information
Pentax K-r Vlogging information
32
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
heavier than others in class (1,021g)
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Pentax K-r
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Pentax K-r
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2019-02-01 2011-03-11
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 6000 x 4000 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Min boosted ISO 50 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 225 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Leica L Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 30 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 2,100k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/8000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 9.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/320 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1021 grams (2.25 pounds) 598 grams (1.32 pounds)
Dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 95 72
DXO Color Depth rating 25.2 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.5 12.4
DXO Low light rating 3333 755
Other
Battery life 380 shots 470 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type - SD/SDHC
Card slots 2 Single
Launch pricing $2,498 $1,100