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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69 Imaging
63 Features
70 Overall
65

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-S1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both produced by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-30 was released 22 months before the K-S1 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the K-30 matches up vs the K-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K-S1

          

          

            
 K-30 K-S1 
          

        


        

          

            
Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax K-30

          

          

            
 K-S1 K-30 
RevealedAugust 2014October 2012More modern by 22 months
          

        


        

          

            
Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-S1

          

          

            
 K-30 K-S1 
Focus manually  Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen  No selfie screen
Touch screen  No Touch screen
          

        

        

	
	
	
	

        

          

            
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

          

          

            
When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-30 enjoys outer measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).
See the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the K-30 against the K-S1.
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison
Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and K-S1 is 63 and 69 respectively.
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison          

        


        

          

            
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

          

          

            
In many cases, its difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading through specifications. The image underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-30 and K-S1.
To sum up, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-S1 to give you more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The more aged K-30 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

            Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison
          

        


        

          

            
Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

          

          

                      

          Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison        


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Photography Type Scores

          

        

        
Portrait Comparison
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography advice
74
 focusing manually
 good  resolution (16MP)
 nice sensor size (APS-C)
 comes with face detect focus
 saves RAW files
77
 you can focus manually
 good  resolution (20MP)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 includes face detection focusing
 exports RAW files
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Street Comparison
Pentax K-30 Street photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Street photography factors
68
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 nice sensor size (APS-C)
 saves RAW files
 environment proof
 screen is fixed
73
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 exports RAW files
 lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
 above average ISO range (51,200)
 screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison
Pentax K-30 Sports photography information
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography information
67
 high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good  resolution (16MP)
 nice sensor size (APS-C)
 comes with tracking focus
 environment proof
 supports phase detect auto focus
 very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
 bad battery (410 CIPA)
69
 high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good  resolution (20MP)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 includes tracking autofocus
 sensor has phase detect AF
 max frames per second very slow (5.4 fps)
 not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison
Pentax K-30 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography highlights
60
 environment proof
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 bad battery (410 per charge)
 doesn't contain selfie friendly display
60
 lighter than competitors in class (558g)
 good  resolution (20 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 missing Timelapse mode
 not so great battery power (410 shots)
 doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography details
73
 focusing manually
 switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
 screen is a good size (3")
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good  resolution (16 megapixels)
 nice sensor size (APS-C)
 saves RAW files
 environment proof
 bad battery (410 CIPA)
73
 you can focus manually
 interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
 good sized screen (3 inch)
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 good  resolution (20 megapixels)
 good sensor size (APS-C)
 does not have anti-alias filter
 above average ISO range (51,200)
 exports RAW files
 not so great battery power (410 per charge)
 missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison
Pentax K-30 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging info
30
 built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
 comes with face detect focus
 high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
 doesn't contain selfie friendly display
 lack of microphone port
33
 has image stabilization (Sensor based)
 includes face detection focusing
 good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
 lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
 doesn't have a selfie friendly display
 missing external microphone socket
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

          

          

                      


          

            Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-S1
 Pentax K-30Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-30 Pentax K-S1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-10-29 2014-08-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data    
Autofocusing
Focus manually    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Tracking autofocus    
Autofocus selectice    
Autofocus center weighted    
Autofocus multi area    
Live view autofocus    
Face detect autofocus    
Contract detect autofocus    
Phase detect autofocus    
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Built-in flash    
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe    
AEB    
White balance bracketing    
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering    
Average metering    
Spot metering    
Partial metering    
AF area metering    
Center weighted metering    
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 H.264
Microphone port    
Headphone port    
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth    
NFC    
HDMI    
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 650g (1.43 lb) 558g (1.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 79 78
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 13.0
DXO Low light score 1129 1061
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 410 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting    
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $525 $339