Clicky

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850

Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-S2
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Released April 2010
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Pentax K-S1 and Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-S1 (20MP) and the A850 (25MP) is very close but the K-S1 (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The K-S1 was brought out 4 years after the A850 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the K-S1 grades against the A850 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Sony A850

 K-S1 A850 
ReleasedAugust 2014April 2010More modern by 54 months

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax K-S1

 A850 K-S1 
Display resolution922k921kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Sony A850

 K-S1 A850 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-S1 has physical dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Sony A850 has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-S1 and Sony A850 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the K-S1 against the A850.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the K-S1 and A850 is 69 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by looking through specifications. The picture below should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-S1 and A850.

To sum up, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The K-S1 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A850 will render more detail having its extra 5MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The newer K-S1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
Portrait photography with Sony A850
78
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
72
has manual focus
sensor resolution is excellent (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Street photography factors
Sony A850 Street photography factors
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A850 as a Sports photography camera
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
71
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is excellent (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A850 as a Travel photography camera
60
lighter than competition in class (558g)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
55
environment sealing
sensor resolution is excellent (25 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography details
Sony A850 Landscape photography details
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
terrible battery life (410 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is excellent (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
doesn't have liveview
no Timelapse function
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Vlogging information
Sony A850 Vlogging information
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone port
9
can't shoot video
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Sony A850
 Pentax K-S1Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-S1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2014-08-27 2010-04-15
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime MII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 6048 x 4032
Maximum native ISO 51200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.4fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 558 grams (1.23 pounds) 895 grams (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 78 79
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 12.2
DXO Low light rating 1061 1415
Other
Battery life 410 photos 880 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots One 2
Price at release $339 $0