Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1
63 Imaging
58 Features
65 Overall
60
![Pentax K-50 front Pentax K-50 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-50/Pentax-K-50-front.jpg)
![Pentax Optio S1 front Pentax Optio S1 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-Optio-S1/Pentax-S1-front.jpg)
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34
Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Released November 2013
- Replaced the Pentax K-30
(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
- Launched March 2011
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Overview
Here is a in depth analysis of the Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Pentax. The resolution of the K-50 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively similar but the K-50 (APS-C) and S1 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
The K-50 was announced 2 years later than the S1 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.
Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple overview of how the K-50 scores against the S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-50 & Pentax Optio S1. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-50 Gallery & Pentax S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Pentax S1
K-50 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | November 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | Fresher by 34 months |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Pentax K-50
S1 | K-50 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-50 and Pentax S1
K-50 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch screen |
Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-50 enjoys external dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.![Camera Size Comparison with Lenses Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the K-50 and the S1.
![Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 size comparison Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-50-vs-Pentax-Optio-S1-size-comparison.jpg)
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-50 and S1 is 63 and 93 respectively.
![Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-50-vs-Pentax-Optio-S1-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The graphic here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-50 and S1.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-50 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-50 will offer you more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent K-50 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.
![Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Pentax-K-50-vs-Pentax-Optio-S1-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder
![Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Pentax-K-50-vs-Pentax-Optio-S1-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Specifications
Pentax K-50 | Pentax Optio S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Pentax |
Model type | Pentax K-50 | Pentax Optio S1 |
Category | Entry-Level DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2013-11-27 | 2011-03-02 |
Physical type | Compact SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | PRIME M | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 4288 x 3216 |
Highest native ISO | 51600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Cross type focus points | 9 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 28-140mm (5.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 1cm |
Number of lenses | 151 | - |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inches | 2.7 inches |
Resolution of screen | 921k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 4 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/6000 seconds | 1/1500 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 6.0 frames per second | 1.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 3.90 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | - |
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 424 (30,25,24 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | Optional | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 650 grams (1.43 lb) | 157 grams (0.35 lb) |
Dimensions | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 79 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.0 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 1120 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 pictures | 260 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI109 | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $610 | $174 |