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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

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
  • Released August 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Revealed December 2009
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax K-x, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are sold by Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and K-x (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-S1 was announced 4 years after the K-x which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology 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-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the K-S1 matches up vs the K-x when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-S1 K-x 
RevealedAugust 2014December 2009More modern by 57 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

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

 K-x K-S1 

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

 K-S1 K-x 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-S1 features outside 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-x has measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax K-x in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the K-S1 compared to the K-x.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-S1 and K-x is 69 and 69 respectively.

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

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The picture below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the K-S1 and K-x.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-S1 to show greater detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures far more aggressively. The more modern K-S1 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-x Portrait photography advice
77
you can focus manually
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
saves RAW files
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-S1
Street photography with Pentax K-x
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than average in class (558 grams)
above average ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Sports photography details
Pentax K-x Sports photography details
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
terrible battery (410 shots)
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery power (1,900 shots)
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Travel photography features
Pentax K-x Travel photography features
60
lighter than average in class (558 grams)
MP count good (20MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery (410 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
54
great battery power (1,900 per charge)
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Landscape photography camera
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
terrible battery (410 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (1,900 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Vlogging features
Pentax K-x Vlogging features
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (558 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax K-x
 Pentax K-S1Pentax K-x
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S1 Pentax K-x
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-08-27 2009-12-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime MII Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 921k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.4 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 16.00 m
Flash settings Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
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 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 558 grams (1.23 lbs) 580 grams (1.28 lbs)
Dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 72
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 12.5
DXO Low light rating 1061 811
Other
Battery life 410 images 1900 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $339 $600