Pentax K-1 vs Sony W550
55 Imaging
74 Features
82 Overall
77
96 Imaging
36 Features
28 Overall
32
Pentax K-1 vs Sony W550 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced February 2016
- Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
- 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
- Introduced July 2011
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Pentax K-1 vs Sony W550 Overview
Below, we will be comparing the Pentax K-1 versus Sony W550, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the K-1 (36MP) and W550 (14MP) and the K-1 (Full frame) and W550 (1/2.3") use different sensor dimensions.
Mastering Nature Photography with a Digital Microscope CameraThe K-1 was launched 4 years after the W550 which is quite a big 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 Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the K-1 scores versus the W550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms Pentax K-1 vs Sony W550 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-1 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax K-1 Gallery & Sony W550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Sony W550
| K-1 | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | February 2016 | July 2011 | Newer by 56 months | |
| Manually focus | Dial precise focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen dimension | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 230k | Crisper screen (+807k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Pentax K-1
| W550 | K-1 |
|---|
Common features in the Pentax K-1 and Sony W550
| K-1 | W550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selfie screen | No selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly screen | Neither includes Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-1 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax K-1 features external dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Sony W550 has sizing of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K-1 versus Sony W550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the K-1 versus the W550.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-1 and W550 is 55 and 96 respectively.
Pentax K-1 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The pic underneath might offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-1 and W550.
As you can plainly see, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-1 due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Pentax K-1 will offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 22 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The younger K-1 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
Pentax K-1 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthStreet Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banSports Comparison
Photography GlossaryTravel Comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesLandscape Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideVlogging Comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
Pentax K-1 vs Sony W550 Specifications
| Pentax K-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax K-1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 |
| Class | Advanced DSLR | Ultracompact |
| Introduced | 2016-02-17 | 2011-07-24 |
| Body design | Mid-size SLR | Ultracompact |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Powered by | - | BIONZ |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
| Sensor size | Full frame | 1/2.3" |
| Sensor measurements | 35.9 x 24mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
| Sensor surface area | 861.6mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 36 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 7360 x 4912 | 4320 x 3240 |
| Max native ISO | 204800 | 3200 |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
| RAW data | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| 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 | - | 26-104mm (4.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | - | f/2.7-5.7 |
| Macro focus range | - | 5cm |
| Number of lenses | 151 | - |
| Focal length multiplier | 1 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
| Display sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 1,037k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch functionality | ||
| Display tech | - | Clear Photo LCD |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | - |
| Features | ||
| Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 2s |
| Highest shutter speed | 1/8000s | 1/1600s |
| Continuous shooting speed | 4.4 frames per sec | 1.0 frames per sec |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | no built-in flash | 3.80 m |
| Flash options | 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, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| White balance bracketing | ||
| Highest flash sync | 1/200s | - |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
| Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
| Microphone input | ||
| Headphone input | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 1010g (2.23 lb) | 110g (0.24 lb) |
| Dimensions | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") | 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
| 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 shots | - |
| Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
| Battery model | D-LI90 | NP-BN1 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage media | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
| Storage slots | Two | - |
| Price at launch | $1,499 | $119 |