Clicky

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
96
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 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-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Launched August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the S1 (12MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The S1 was released 4 years before the K-S1 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the S1 grades against the K-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax K-S1

 S1 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic S1

 K-S1 S1 
LaunchedAugust 2014January 2011Newer by 44 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-S1

 S1 K-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic S1 comes with outside 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) while the Pentax K-S1 has sizing of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the S1 against the K-S1.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1 and K-S1 is 96 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The picture below might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S1 and K-S1.

As you have seen, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S1 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-S1 will give you greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged S1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
78
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition (558 grams)
good high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 Sports photography details
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography details
28
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (5.4 fps)
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
62
lighter than competitors (117g)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than competition (558 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
33
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging highlights
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic support
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (558 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of external mic jack
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Pentax K-S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-01-05 2014-08-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of 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 dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 gr (0.26 pounds) 558 gr (1.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 240 shots 410 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $269 $339