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Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Sigma SD1 front
Portability
77
Imaging
54
Features
43
Overall
49

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Launched September 2010
  • Later Model is Sigma SD1 Merrill
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Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 Overview

Let's look closer at the Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sigma. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and SD1 (15MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-S1 was brought out 3 years after the SD1 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the K-S1 grades against the SD1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Sigma SD1

 K-S1 SD1 
LaunchedAugust 2014September 2010Newer by 48 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Pentax K-S1

 SD1 K-S1 

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Sigma SD1

 K-S1 SD1 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-S1 provides exterior dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Sigma SD1 has sizing of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") along with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the K-S1 and the SD1.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the K-S1 and SD1 is 69 and 77 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions purely by researching technical specs. The image below should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-S1 and SD1.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax K-S1 to result in more detail having its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The fresher K-S1 will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Portrait photography highlights
77
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
64
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Street photography camera
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average (558g)
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
62
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
low max ISO (0)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Sports photography camera
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (5.4 fps)
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
55
MP count good (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than average (558 grams)
MP count good (20MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
environment proof
MP count good (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography information
Sigma SD1 Landscape photography information
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sigma SA mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
MP count good (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low max ISO (0)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD1 as a Vlogging camera
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (558 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic port
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Sigma SD1
 Pentax K-S1Sigma SD1
General Information
Company Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax K-S1 Sigma SD1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-08-27 2010-09-21
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime MII Dual True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 4800 x 3200
Highest native ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 -
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 2
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Amount of lenses 151 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 15s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.4 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 558g (1.23 lbs) -
Physical dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
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 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $339 $2,339