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Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Sigma SD9 front
Portability
54
Imaging
38
Features
27
Overall
33

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9 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
  • Launched August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Introduced November 2002
  • Later Model is Sigma SD10
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Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Pentax K-S1 versus Sigma SD9, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Sigma. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and SD9 (3MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-S1 was brought out 11 years after the SD9 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the K-S1 grades against the SD9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Sigma SD9

 K-S1 SD9 
IntroducedAugust 2014November 2002Newer by 144 months
Display size3"1.8"Larger display (+1.2")
Display resolution921k130kClearer display (+791k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Pentax K-S1

 SD9 K-S1 

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Sigma SD9

 K-S1 SD9 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-S1 has physical 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 Sigma SD9 has measurements of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") with a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).

See the Pentax K-S1 versus Sigma SD9 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the K-S1 against the SD9.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-S1 and SD9 is 69 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specifications. The picture below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-S1 and SD9.

Plainly, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Pentax K-S1 to give extra detail having its extra 17MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The newer K-S1 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography factors
Sigma SD9 Portrait photography factors
77
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
46
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
resolution not great (3MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Sigma SD9 as a Street photography camera
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
43
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition (950 grams)
max ISO too low (400)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Sports photography features
Sigma SD9 Sports photography features
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
low battery life (410 CIPA)
35
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
resolution not great (3 megapixels)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Travel photography advice
Sigma SD9 Travel photography advice
60
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
MP count decent (20MP)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
low battery life (410 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
29
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (950 grams)
resolution not great (3 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-S1
Landscape photography with Sigma SD9
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (410 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
40
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (1.8 inch)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
resolution not great (3MP)
max ISO too low (400)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
Vlogging with Sigma SD9
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone socket
9
no video shooting
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Pentax K-S1 vs Sigma SD9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Sigma SD9
 Pentax K-S1Sigma SD9
General Information
Brand Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax K-S1 Sigma SD9
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-08-27 2002-11-26
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime MII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 3 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 2268 x 1512
Max native ISO 51200 400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sigma SA
Number of lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.7
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 1.8 inches
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 130 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.77x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.4 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 558 grams (1.23 pounds) 950 grams (2.09 pounds)
Physical dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1061 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109 -
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash Type I or II
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $339 $3,001