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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Launched January 2011
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced October 2009
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-7, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the S1 (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is relatively similar but the S1 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The S1 was released 16 months later than the K-7 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the S1 scores against the K-7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax K-7

 S1 K-7 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011October 2009Fresher by 16 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic S1

 K-7 S1 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-7

 S1 K-7 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S1 features external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-7 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the S1 against the K-7.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and K-7 is 96 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over specifications. The graphic here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and K-7.

To sum up, the two cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S1 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Pentax K-7 will deliver more detail as a result of its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern S1 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography advice
21
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S1
Sports photography with Pentax K-7
28
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Pentax K-7
62
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography details
33
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S1
Vlogging with Pentax K-7
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
25
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Pentax K-7
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Pentax K-7
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2009-10-02
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 6400 2000
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to 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 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117g (0.26 pounds) 750g (1.65 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 536
Other
Battery life 240 shots 980 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $269 $599