Clicky

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1

Portability
69
Imaging
62
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
62
Features
48
Overall
56

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1 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
  • Released August 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-S2
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Released September 2014
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Pentax K-S1 and Sony QX1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Lens-style by competitors Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-S1 (20MP) and the QX1 (20MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

The K-S1 was launched at a similar time to the QX1 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a quick summation of how the K-S1 grades versus the QX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

        

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Sony QX1

 K-S1 QX1 
Screen size3""Bigger screen (+3")
Screen resolution921k0kClearer screen (+921k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Pentax K-S1

 QX1 K-S1 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Sony QX1

 K-S1 QX1 
ReleasedAugust 2014September 2014Similar age
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax K-S1 comes with outer dimensions 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 Sony QX1 has sizing of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") with a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-S1 and Sony QX1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the K-S1 versus the QX1.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-S1 and QX1 is 69 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over specifications. The photograph here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-S1 and QX1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels so you can expect similar quality of photos though you really should consider the launch date of the products into consideration.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography advice
Sony QX1 Portrait photography advice
77
manual focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
65
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Street photography advice
Sony QX1 Street photography advice
72
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (558g)
great ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
69
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
offers focus via touch
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (216 grams)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Sports photography advice
Sony QX1 Sports photography advice
68
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (5.4 fps)
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
56
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery power (440 per charge)
low frames per second (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-S1
Travel photography with Sony QX1
60
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
decent megapixels (20MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (410 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
71
great battery power (440 shots)
offers focus via touch
good resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (216 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography information
Sony QX1 Landscape photography information
72
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
63
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (440 shots)
tiny screen (")
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Vlogging features
Sony QX1 Vlogging features
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (558 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
32
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (216g)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Sony QX1
 Pentax K-S1Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-S1 Sony Alpha QX1
Category Advanced DSLR Lens-style
Released 2014-08-27 2014-09-03
Body design Mid-size SLR Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor Prime MII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 3:2
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 51200 16000
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Available lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.6
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" -
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 0 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.4 frames per sec 4.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
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) 216 grams (0.48 pounds)
Physical dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
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 photographs 440 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $339 $500