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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1

Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60
Pentax K-50 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Pentax K-50
(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
Pentax S1
(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
Photography Glossary

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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Pentax S1

 K-50 S1 
LaunchedNovember 2013March 2011Fresher by 34 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper 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 typeFixed 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

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

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-50 Portrait photography features
Pentax S1 Portrait photography features
74
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
35
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-50
Street photography with Pentax S1
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
great high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
heavier than average (650 grams)
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-50 Sports photography info
Pentax S1 Sports photography info
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-50 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
56
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (410 shots)
heavier than average (650g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
64
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-50 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
74
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
42
focusing manually
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-50 Vlogging features
Pentax S1 Vlogging features
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic support
heavier than average (650g)
28
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
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Pentax K-50 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-50 and Pentax S1
 Pentax K-50Pentax 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