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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
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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
Photography Glossary

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