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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax Optio W90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 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
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Introduced February 2010
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 Overview

Following is a extended overview of the Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Waterproof and both of them are manufactured by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and W90 (12MP) and the K-S1 (APS-C) and W90 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-S1 was brought out 4 years after the W90 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the K-S1 scores vs the W90 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax W90

 K-S1 W90 
IntroducedAugust 2014February 2010More modern by 55 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Pentax K-S1

 W90 K-S1 

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax W90

 K-S1 W90 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-S1 has exterior measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax W90 has sizing of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") with a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the K-S1 versus the W90.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-S1 and W90 is 69 and 94 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking a spec sheet. The picture below might provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-S1 and W90.

Clearly, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-S1 due to its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field less difficult and the Pentax K-S1 will give you more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The younger K-S1 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
Portrait photography with Pentax W90
77
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
27
focusing manually
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Street photography camera
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (558g)
great ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
54
environment proof
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Sports photography advice
Pentax W90 Sports photography advice
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
24
environment proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-S1
Travel photography with Pentax W90
60
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
good megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery life (410 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
64
environment proof
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax W90 as a Landscape photography camera
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
terrible battery life (410 shots)
no Timelapse function
37
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax W90 as a Vlogging camera
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no external microphone support
25
relatively wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax W90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax W90
 Pentax K-S1Pentax Optio W90
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S1 Pentax Optio W90
Class Advanced DSLR Waterproof
Announced 2014-08-27 2010-02-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime MII Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.4 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 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 file format H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 558 gr (1.23 lb) 164 gr (0.36 lb)
Physical dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1061 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 pictures -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109 D-LI68
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $339 $120