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Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900

Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
67
Features
62
Overall
65

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900 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
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed October 2008
  • Successor is Sony A99
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Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Pentax K-S1 and Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-S1 (20MP) and the A900 (25MP) is relatively similar but the K-S1 (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) have different sensor measurements.

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The K-S1 was revealed 5 years later than the A900 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the K-S1 scores against the A900 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Sony A900

 K-S1 A900 
RevealedAugust 2014October 2008Fresher by 72 months

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax K-S1

 A900 K-S1 
Screen resolution922k921kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Sony A900

 K-S1 A900 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-S1 enjoys physical measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Sony A900 has measurements of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") along with a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-S1 and Sony A900 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the K-S1 compared to the A900.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-S1 and A900 is 69 and 54 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing merely by going over specifications. The visual here will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-S1 and A900.

To sum up, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The K-S1 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Sony A900 will deliver more detail because of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The newer K-S1 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography info
Sony A900 Portrait photography info
78
focusing manually
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
72
manual focus
MP count excellent (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Street photography features
Sony A900 Street photography features
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
great ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-S1
Sports photography with Sony A900
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (5.4 frames per second)
low battery power (410 shots)
71
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Travel photography factors
Sony A900 Travel photography factors
60
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
MP count good (20MP)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery power (410 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
55
weather proof
MP count excellent (25MP)
missing Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A900 as a Landscape photography camera
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
low battery power (410 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count excellent (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
weather proof
2 card slots
no liveview
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Vlogging information
Sony A900 Vlogging information
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic support
9
no video recording
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Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Sony A900
 Pentax K-S1Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-S1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-08-27 2008-10-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
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 area 366.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 25 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.74x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.4fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250s
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) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 558g (1.23 pounds) 895g (1.97 pounds)
Physical 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 All around score 78 79
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 12.3
DXO Low light score 1061 1431
Other
Battery life 410 photos 880 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model 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), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Card slots One Dual
Launch price $339 $2,736