Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax S1

The following is a thorough overview of the Pentax K-S2 versus Pentax S1, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are manufactured by Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the K-S2 (20MP) and S1 (14MP) and the K-S2 (APS-C) and S1 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The K-S2 was announced 4 years after the S1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the K-S2 grades vs the S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-S2 & Pentax Optio S1. The whole galleries are available at Pentax K-S2 Gallery & Pentax S1 Gallery.

If you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-S2 comes with outside measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Pentax S1 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-S2 versus Pentax S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the K-S2 compared to the S1.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the K-S2 and S1 is 64 and 93 respectively.

In many cases, its hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through a spec sheet. The picture below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-S2 and S1.

Clearly, both the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-S2 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-S2 will produce greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs way more aggressively. The younger K-S2 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.