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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1

Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78
Pentax K-1 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both produced by Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and S1 (14MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and S1 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizes.

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The K-1 was revealed 5 years later than the S1 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K-1 scores vs the S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Pentax S1

 K-1 S1 
ReleasedFebruary 2016March 2011Fresher by 61 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Pentax K-1

 S1 K-1 

Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Pentax S1

 K-1 S1 
Focus manually More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-1 comes with outside dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the K-1 compared to the S1.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the K-1 and S1 is 55 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading through a spec sheet. The visual underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-1 and S1.

Clearly, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The K-1 with its larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Pentax K-1 will give more detail because of its extra 22MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The fresher K-1 provides a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Portrait photography camera
85
you can focus manually
fantastic MP (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
35
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 Street photography advice
Pentax S1 Street photography advice
70
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
great ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010g)
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-1
Sports photography with Pentax S1
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
bad battery power (760 per charge)
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
53
environment proofing
fantastic MP (36MP)
bad battery power (760 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010g)
display is not selfie friendly
64
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 Landscape photography information
Pentax S1 Landscape photography information
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic MP (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (204,800)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
bad battery power (760 per charge)
42
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors in class (1,010g)
28
decently wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
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Pentax K-1 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 and Pentax S1
 Pentax K-1Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-1 Pentax Optio S1
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Released 2016-02-17 2011-03-02
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 861.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 7360 x 4912 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 204800 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 33 9
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.4fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 1010g (2.23 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 96 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 25.4 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 3280 not tested
Other
Battery life 760 photos 260 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 2 One
Retail cost $1,499 $174