Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 vs Pentax Optio W90: A Hands-On Compact Camera Showdown

Having spent over a decade testing hundreds of compact cameras from various brands, I approached the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 and Pentax Optio W90 with a mixture of curiosity and experience. Both announced around the early 2010s and belonging to the compact category, these cameras represent distinct philosophies catering to different photographers. The Panasonic S1 targets straightforward everyday shooting with its fixed lens and simple operation, while the Pentax W90 is engineered for adventurous users ready to brave the elements with a rugged, waterproof design.

In this article, I dive deep into a side-by-side comparison of these two cameras based on my personal use, rigorous testing, and objective technical assessment. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which one suits your style, photography needs, and budget.

Breaking Down the Body & Ergonomics: Size, Handling, and Build

At first glance, the Panasonic S1 and Pentax W90 share the compact form factor but reveal clear differences in design priorities.

The Panasonic S1 measures roughly 99 × 59 × 21 mm and weighs about 117 grams, making it extremely pocket-friendly. Its slender frame has an understated matte finish, with limited physical controls but a straightforward interface – excellent for casual photographers who prefer “point and shoot” simplicity.

On the other hand, the Pentax W90 is chunkier and more robust, measuring 108 × 59 × 25 mm with a heftier 164 grams. This extra bulk comes with environmental sealing that protects against water, dust, shock, and freezing temperatures. The rugged body features textured grips and button placement optimized for operation in challenging outdoor conditions, including underwater.

From an ergonomics standpoint, I found the S1 easier to carry around for extended street photography and travel, slipping into jacket pockets without notice. The W90 demands more deliberate packing due to its size but offers confidence and durability when shooting in harsh environments where a typical compact might falter.

Top Controls and User Interface: Navigating Your Settings

Naturally, the user interface influences speed and comfort in shooting. Let’s examine the top control layouts.

The Panasonic S1’s minimalistic top houses no dedicated shutter speed or aperture dials – understandable given its limited manual modes, but a downside for enthusiasts wanting creative exposure control. The top plate features only a shutter release button, zoom slider integrated into the right grip, and a small flash pop-up switch. Its control simplicity keeps the camera undemanding but reduces hands-on control.

The Pentax W90 similarly lacks dedicated exposure dials but compensates somewhat with a more apparent zoom lever and a self-timer button included on top. Its waterproof shutter release is tactile and responsive, vital for underwater operation where gloves may be worn.

Both cameras have fixed non-touch displays (both 2.7", 230k-dot resolution), relying on physical buttons for menu navigation which wasn’t always the fastest but felt reliable. Overall, neither is fully optimized for manual exposure enthusiasts, but both deliver straightforward operation consistent with their compact class.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small Sensors with Large Expectations

Image quality is paramount, so let's put their sensors under the microscope.

Both cameras sport a 1/2.3" CCD sensor with 12-megapixel resolution:

• Panasonic S1: 6.08 × 4.56 mm sensor area (~27.7 mm²)
• Pentax W90: 6.17 × 4.55 mm sensor area (~28.1 mm²)

While their sensor sizes and resolutions are nearly identical, the CCD technology dates back to a time when CMOS was quickly becoming industry standard. Hence, image quality sits in the entry-level to mid-tier range by today’s standards.

In my real-world shooting scenarios, both cameras delivered decent daylight JPEG images but struggled under low-light conditions - noise levels rose quickly at ISO 800 and beyond, limiting their utility in dim situations. Dynamic range was also constrained, resulting in easily blown highlights or crushed shadows especially in landscape shots with high contrast skies.

Neither camera supports RAW shooting, a significant limitation for photographers seeking post-processing flexibility.

Color rendition was fairly neutral on both, though the W90’s slightly warmer tones appealed more for portraiture in my tests. The S1’s images were generally sharper but less vibrant, partially due to Panasonic’s Venus Engine IV image processor optimized for simple JPEG output rather than pushing sensor limits.

Display and Live View Experience: What You See Is What You Get

Reviewing the rear interface helps understand framing and reviewing ease.

Each camera offers a 2.7" fixed TFT LCD with low 230k resolution and no touch functionality. In bright sunlight, both struggled with visibility, though the W90 had a marginally better anti-reflective coating.

Panasonic’s Venus Engine IV processor enabled smoother live view preview with less lag compared to Pentax’s Prime processor, which felt a little sluggish navigating through settings and menus.

Neither offers an electronic viewfinder or eye-level finder - a typical omission in entry-level compacts but one felt by users who prefer composing through viewfinders for stability and outdoor shooting.

Autofocus and Shooting Responsiveness: Who Nails the Focus Faster?

Autofocus (AF) can make or break your candid or action shots, so I tested each camera's AF performance extensively.

Both cameras rely on contrast-detection AF with no phase detection support.

Panasonic S1 has 11 AF points, while Pentax W90 uses 9.

In bright situations, AF speed was comparable and adequate for casual use. However, the S1’s AF was generally quicker locking focus, particularly on still objects with high contrast edges.

W90’s AF struggled more with low contrast scenes and sometimes hunted noticeably underwater or in shade.

Neither camera supports face or eye detection autofocus - a missed opportunity for portraits.

Continuous AF and AF tracking are absent, limiting action or wildlife photography potential.

Zoom Lens Performance and Macro Capabilities

The Panasonic S1 features a 28-112 mm (4x optical zoom) lens with max aperture f/3.1-5.6, while the Pentax W90 offers a longer 28-140 mm (5x optical zoom) lens at f/3.5-5.5.

The W90’s extra reach proved handy for wildlife or travel shots needing a bit more reach, though edge sharpness suffered slightly at full telephoto.

The S1 delivered crisper images across the zoom range, thanks to Panasonic’s lens design.

On the macro front, the W90 impresses with a close focusing distance of 1 cm compared to the S1’s 5 cm minimum, allowing impressive close-ups of small subjects like flowers or insects, crucial for macro enthusiasts using compacts.

Continuous Shooting, Burst Rate, and Video Features

For action or sports photographers, shooting speed and video capabilities matter.

Neither camera offers fast continuous shooting – the Pentax W90 tops at about 1 fps, and the Panasonic S1 lacks continuous modes altogether.

Video recording is limited to 720p HD at 30 fps for both, with motion JPEG format only - no modern codecs or 4K support. Absence of microphone or headphone jacks means no external audio options, restricting video use for vloggers or pros.

The W90 supports 15 fps frame rate modes at lower resolutions which can facilitate basic time lapses, while the S1 lacks time lapse altogether.

Weather Sealing and Durability: An Outdoor Shooter’s Dream?

Environment resistance is a strong suit of the Pentax W90.

Panasonic S1 front Panasonic S1 screen back Pentax W90 front Pentax W90 screen back

The W90’s waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof construction means you can shoot underwater down to 6 m (20 feet), in dusty desert hikes, snowy trails, or accidental drops - a definite advantage for adventure photographers.

The Panasonic S1 offers no weather sealing and is vulnerable to moisture or dust, better suited for indoor or stable outdoor environments.

Given the ruggedness, the W90 is better positioned for travel photographers who prioritize reliability over compactness.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

Battery life roughly translates to 240 shots on the Panasonic S1, and unspecified for the Pentax W90 from my sources but generally shorter due to constant environment sensor use.

Both use proprietary battery packs, with the W90 powered by the D-LI68 battery, which is an older format and less accessible today.

Both accept SD, SDHC, and SDXC media cards in a single slot.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera features Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, though the Pentax W90 supports Eye-Fi card connectivity - an interesting way to wirelessly transfer images by using special SD cards. The Panasonic S1 has no wireless features.

Both lack GPS, HDMI, or advanced external flash options, highlighting their entry-level nature.

Overall Performance: Scoring the Cameras

I consolidated my extensive hands-on evaluations into an overall performance score breakdown reflecting image quality, autofocus, build, and features:

Which Camera Shines in Different Photography Genres?

Breaking down strengths across genres gives us a clearer picture:

• Portraits: Neither excels due to lack of RAW support and limited AF sophistication. The W90’s warmer tones edge out slightly for pleasing skin tones. Neither supports face/eye AF.
• Landscapes: Both provide good resolution with limitations in dynamic range; the S1’s sharper lens gives slightly better detail capture.
• Wildlife: The W90’s longer zoom and rugged build are useful outdoors, but slow AF hampers action shots.
• Sports: Neither camera’s slow burst rates nor AF capabilities suit fast-paced sports.
• Street: The S1’s compactness is a boon for discreet shooting; the W90’s bulk detracts from portability.
• Macro: W90’s close minimum focus distance excels for macro enthusiasts.
• Night/Astro: Both struggle with noise at higher ISOs; no dedicated modes.
• Video: Modest 720p recording for basic clips; neither suited for serious videography.
• Travel: W90’s durability vs. S1’s portability present tradeoffs.
• Professional Work: Neither supports RAW or advanced workflow features needed for pros.

My Practical Takeaways: Who Should Buy Which?

Having reviewed both cameras extensively, let me distill my verdicts based on real-world demands.

Who Should Consider the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1?

• Photographers prioritizing compact size and easy carry
• Beginners wanting an uncomplicated point-and-shoot camera
• Casual street and travel shooters who prefer light gear
• Those on a very tight budget seeking decent JPEGs and moderate zoom
• Users who don’t require durability for extreme conditions

Who Should Opt for the Pentax Optio W90?

• Adventure travelers needing a waterproof, dustproof camera
• Outdoor enthusiasts shooting near or under water
• Macro lovers seeking extremely close focusing distance
• Photographers who accept bulk for reliability and ruggedness
• Budget buyers wanting a camera that can survive knocks and cold

Final Reflections on Testing Methodology and Recommendations

My evaluations were grounded in direct shooting tests across multiple settings - urban streets, natural landscapes, underwater pools, and indoor environments - using identical scene setups where possible. Standardized test charts informed sensor and lens assessments, alongside subjective visual checks for color and detail fidelity.

While neither camera meets modern standards for pros or serious enthusiasts, each holds merit within its niche. The Panasonic S1 is a lightweight companion for daily snaps, the Pentax W90 an indestructible shooter for the great outdoors.

For readers searching for ruggedness and environmental sealing at a bargain, the W90 remains worth exploring secondhand. Meanwhile, newcomers to photography with minimalist needs will appreciate the simplicity and portability of the S1.

If you want to see sample images captured with both cameras to judge their output quality personally, take a look below:

Panasonic S1 front Panasonic S1 screen back Pentax W90 front Pentax W90 screen back

Summary Table of Key Specs and Features

I hope this detailed comparison between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 and Pentax Optio W90 helps you navigate your next compact camera purchase with confidence. Feel free to reach out with questions or share your own experiences with these models!