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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

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
  • Revealed May 2012
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax K-01 versus Pentax S1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are built by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the K-01 (APS-C) and S1 (1/2.3") provide different sensor measurements.

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The K-01 was introduced 16 months after the S1 which makes them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the K-01 scores against the S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Pentax S1

 K-01 S1 
IntroducedMay 2012March 2011More modern by 16 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Pentax K-01

 S1 K-01 

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Pentax S1

 K-01 S1 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K-01 features physical dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") along with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) and the Pentax S1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Pentax K-01 versus Pentax S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-01 and the S1.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the K-01 and S1 is 76 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The image here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-01 and S1.

All in all, both of those cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-01 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Pentax K-01 will produce more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher K-01 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-01
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
35
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Street photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
more heavy than competition in class (561 grams)
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-01
Sports photography with Pentax S1
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery power (540 shots)
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
does not have phase detect AF
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography highlights
Pentax S1 Travel photography highlights
65
great battery power (540 CIPA)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
more heavy than competition in class (561 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
64
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography details
Pentax S1 Landscape photography details
80
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (540 per charge)
42
manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 Vlogging information
Pentax S1 Vlogging information
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competition in class (561 grams)
28
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Pentax S1
 Pentax K-01Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-01 Pentax Optio S1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-05-30 2011-03-02
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 81 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD monitor TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 561g (1.24 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.9 not tested
DXO Low light score 1135 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 images 260 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $899 $174