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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Released January 2013
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 2012
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax K-01, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the XS1 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The XS1 was unveiled 8 months after the K-01 so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the XS1 scores versus the K-01 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Pentax K-01

 XS1 K-01 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013May 2012More modern by 8 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic XS1

 K-01 XS1 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax K-01

 XS1 K-01 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic XS1 comes with external dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") along with a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") accompanied by a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax K-01 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the XS1 versus the K-01.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the XS1 and K-01 is 97 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes purely by looking at specs. The image underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the XS1 and K-01.

All in all, each of the cameras provide the same MP but not the same sensor sizes. The XS1 includes the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field more difficult. The younger XS1 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography advice
30
good resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Street photography features
Pentax K-01 Street photography features
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (103g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
more heavy than others in class (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Sports photography details
Pentax K-01 Sports photography details
41
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery life (540 CIPA)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-01 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than others in class (103 grams)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
no Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
good battery life (540 per charge)
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
more heavy than others in class (561 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
39
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
no Timelapse mode
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (540 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-01 Vlogging highlights
31
fairly wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (103g)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (561 grams)
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Pentax K-01
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Pentax K-01
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2013-01-07 2012-05-30
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 81
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 103 grams (0.23 lb) 561 grams (1.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 260 images 540 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $130 $899