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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Announced August 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-r Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Pentax K-S1 versus Pentax K-r, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both designed by Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and K-r (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-S1 was unveiled 3 years after the K-r which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the K-S1 grades versus the K-r in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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

 K-S1 K-r 
LaunchedAugust 2014March 2011Newer by 43 months

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

 K-r K-S1 

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

 K-S1 K-r 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution921k921kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-S1 has got outer dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") and a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-S1 versus Pentax K-r in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the K-S1 compared to the K-r.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the K-S1 and K-r is 69 and 67 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions purely by reading specifications. The pic underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-S1 and K-r.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Pentax K-S1 to offer you greater detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern K-S1 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

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

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

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
77
has manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
very good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
not so great battery (410 per charge)
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than competition in class (558g)
good MP (20MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery (410 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
47
has built in flash
not so great battery (470 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Landscape photography camera
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
not so great battery (410 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
Vlogging with Pentax K-r
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (558g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have microphone port
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic jack
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax K-r
 Pentax K-S1Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S1 Pentax K-r
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2014-08-27 2011-03-11
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime MII Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
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
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.4 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 558 grams (1.23 lbs) 598 grams (1.32 lbs)
Dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 72
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 12.4
DXO Low light rating 1061 755
Other
Battery life 410 photos 470 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $339 $1,100