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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2011
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Updated by Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Panasonic S1 versus Pentax K-1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the S1 (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The S1 was brought out 6 years earlier than the K-1 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the S1 grades vs the K-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax K-1

 S1 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic S1

 K-1 S1 
LaunchedFebruary 2016January 2011More recent by 62 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-1

 S1 K-1 
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S1 provides exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

See the Panasonic S1 versus Pentax K-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the S1 compared to the K-1.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and K-1 is 96 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to see the gap between sensor measurements simply by going over specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and K-1.

To sum up, both of those cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The S1 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-1 will offer you greater detail having its extra 24MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The older S1 is going to be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography details
21
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
85
manual focus
sensor resolution is high (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography details
Pentax K-1 Street photography details
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
great ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Sports photography highlights
27
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
slow fps (4.4 frames/s)
low battery (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 Travel photography features
Pentax K-1 Travel photography features
62
lighter than competition in class (117g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
53
environment proofing
sensor resolution is high (36 megapixels)
low battery (760 CIPA)
more heavy than average (1,010 grams)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography features
32
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
81
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
low battery (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S1
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
31
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone support
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
more heavy than average (1,010g)
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Pentax K-1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Pentax K-1
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-01-05 2016-02-17
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate - 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 gr (0.26 pounds) 1010 gr (2.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 240 shots 760 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 1 2
Launch cost $269 $1,499