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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2014
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

In this article, we will be analyzing the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax Q-S1, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are manufactured by Pentax. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and Q-S1 (12MP) and the K-S1 (APS-C) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") feature different sensor size.

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The K-S1 was announced very close to the Q-S1 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the K-S1 scores against the Q-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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

 K-S1 Q-S1 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

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

 Q-S1 K-S1 

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

 K-S1 Q-S1 
LaunchedAugust 2014August 2014Same generation
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-S1 provides exterior dimensions 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 Q-S1 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax Q-S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-S1 versus the Q-S1.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-S1 and Q-S1 is 69 and 92 respectively.

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

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing specs. The pic here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-S1 and Q-S1.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The K-S1 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field easier and the Pentax K-S1 will show extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography advice
77
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
46
manual focus
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q-S1 as a Street photography camera
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average (558g)
very good high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (203g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography highlights
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
has phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.4 fps)
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
37
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-S1
Travel photography with Pentax Q-S1
60
lighter than average (558g)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (410 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than competition in class (203g)
built-in flash
not so great battery power (250 shots)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography factors
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
terrible battery (410 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/1.7")
not so great battery power (250 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
Vlogging with Pentax Q-S1
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (558 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (203 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone socket
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax Q-S1
 Pentax K-S1Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S1 Pentax Q-S1
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2014-08-27 2014-08-04
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime MII Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 51200 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Number of lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.4fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 gr (1.23 lb) 203 gr (0.45 lb)
Dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 photographs 250 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 D-LI68
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Card slots One One
Price at launch $339 $250