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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Announced August 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-S2
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched June 2008
  • Replaced the Pentax K10D
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax K20D, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both of them are designed by Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and K20D (15MP) but they use the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-S1 was released 6 years after the K20D which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the K-S1 matches up versus the K20D with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax K20D

 K-S1 K20D 
LaunchedAugust 2014June 2008More modern by 76 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Pentax K-S1

 K20D K-S1 

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax K20D

 K-S1 K20D 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax K-S1 offers external measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax K20D has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax K20D in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-S1 vs the K20D.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-S1 and K20D is 69 and 59 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching specs. The picture below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-S1 and K20D.

All in all, each of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Pentax K-S1 to provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more recent K-S1 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K20D Portrait photography information
78
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Street photography camera
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (558g)
great high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-S1
Sports photography with Pentax K20D
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (5.4 frames per second)
low battery life (410 shots)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K20D Travel photography factors
60
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
MP count good (20MP)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low battery life (410 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly display
64
weather proof
MP count decent (15MP)
has built in flash
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Landscape photography camera
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (410 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
71
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
Vlogging with Pentax K20D
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have microphone support
9
no video
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax K20D
 Pentax K-S1Pentax K20D
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-S1 Pentax K20D
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-08-27 2008-06-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime MII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.4 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format H.264 -
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 558 gr (1.23 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 78 65
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 11.1
DXO Low light score 1061 639
Other
Battery life 410 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109 D-LI50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $339 $700