Clicky

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 front
Portability
91
Imaging
50
Features
68
Overall
57

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100 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
  • Introduced August 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-S2
Sony RX100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
  • 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Later Model is Sony RX100 II
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Pentax K-S1 versus Sony RX100, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the K-S1 (20MP) and the RX100 (20MP) is relatively well matched but the K-S1 (APS-C) and RX100 (1") use different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The K-S1 was released 2 years after the RX100 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the K-S1 scores versus the RX100 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Sony RX100

 K-S1 RX100 
ReleasedAugust 2014August 2012More modern by 25 months

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Pentax K-S1

 RX100 K-S1 
Screen resolution1229k921kCrisper screen (+308k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Sony RX100

 K-S1 RX100 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-S1 has got outer dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Sony RX100 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-S1 versus Sony RX100 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the K-S1 vs the RX100.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the K-S1 and RX100 is 69 and 91 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes purely by checking technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-S1 and RX100.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have got the exact same MP albeit different sensor sizes. The K-S1 comes with the bigger sensor which should make getting shallow DOF simpler. The younger K-S1 provides an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Portrait photography camera
77
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
64
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Street photography camera
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
very good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
79
has image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
supports RAW files
lighter than average in class (240 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 as a Sports photography camera
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery power (410 shots)
65
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
includes tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Travel photography details
Sony RX100 Travel photography details
60
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (410 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
79
lighter than average in class (240g)
decent megapixels (20MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography info
Sony RX100 Landscape photography info
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
bad battery power (410 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
74
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony RX100 as a Vlogging camera
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing mic port
38
pretty wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (240g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Sony RX100
 Pentax K-S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100
Class Advanced DSLR Large Sensor Compact
Introduced 2014-08-27 2012-08-28
Physical type Mid-size SLR Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime MII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 51200 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-100mm (3.6x)
Highest aperture - f/1.8-4.9
Macro focus range - 5cm
Total lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dots 1,229k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - WhiteMagic TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.4 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/2000s
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 558 gr (1.23 lbs) 240 gr (0.53 lbs)
Dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 78 66
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 12.4
DXO Low light score 1061 390
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 330 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $339 $448