Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A100
69 Imaging
63 Features
70 Overall
65


64 Imaging
48 Features
38 Overall
44
Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A100 Key Specs
(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
- Revealed August 2014
- Updated by Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
- 10MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 1600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 638g - 133 x 95 x 71mm
- Released July 2006
- Replaced the Konica Minolta 5D
- Renewed by Sony A550

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A100 Overview
Its time to take a closer look at the Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A100, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and A100 (10MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

The K-S1 was launched 8 years after the A100 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A100 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the K-S1 grades against the A100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A100 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-S1 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A100. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax K-S1 Gallery & Sony A100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Sony A100
K-S1 | A100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2014 | ![]() | July 2006 | More modern by 99 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A100 over the Pentax K-S1
A100 | K-S1 |
---|
Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Sony A100
K-S1 | A100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A100 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you will have to take into account 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") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Sony A100 has specifications of 133mm x 95mm x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 638 grams (1.41 lbs).
Check out the Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A100 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the K-S1 versus the A100.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-S1 and A100 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A100 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture here might give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the K-S1 and A100.
As you can see, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Pentax K-S1 to offer greater detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher K-S1 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A100 Specifications
Pentax K-S1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax K-S1 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 |
Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2014-08-27 | 2006-07-31 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Prime MII | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor area | 366.6mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 5472 x 3648 | 3872 x 2592 |
Maximum native ISO | 51200 | 1600 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 2.5" |
Resolution of display | 921 thousand dots | 230 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/6000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.4fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) | - |
Flash options | Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual | Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Off |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) | - |
Maximum 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 | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 558g (1.23 lb) | 638g (1.41 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") | 133 x 95 x 71mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 78 | 61 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.5 | 22.0 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 13.0 | 11.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 1061 | 476 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 410 photos | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Battery ID | D-LI109 | NP-FM55H |
Self timer | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Compact Flash (Type I or II) |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $339 | $1,000 |