Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1
76 Imaging
57 Features
68 Overall
61


93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-01 & Pentax Optio S1. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-01 Gallery & Pentax S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Pentax S1
K-01 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | May 2012 | ![]() | March 2011 | More modern by 16 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax S1 Specifications
Pentax K-01 | Pentax 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 |