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Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Samsung NX5 front
Portability
80
Imaging
54
Features
50
Overall
52

Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5 Key Specs

Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
Samsung NX5
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
  • Released June 2010
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Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Pentax S1 versus Samsung NX5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Pentax and Samsung. The resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the NX5 (15MP) is relatively close but the S1 (1/2.3") and NX5 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The S1 was launched 10 months after the NX5 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the S1 scores against the NX5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Samsung NX5

 S1 NX5 
ReleasedMarch 2011June 2010More modern by 10 months

Reasons to pick Samsung NX5 over the Pentax S1

 NX5 S1 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Samsung NX5

 S1 NX5 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax S1 provides physical dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Samsung NX5 has proportions of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") having a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax S1 versus Samsung NX5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the S1 against the NX5.

Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1 and NX5 is 93 and 80 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes just by viewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and NX5.

As you can see, both of those cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The S1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Samsung NX5 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent S1 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography information
Samsung NX5 Portrait photography information
34
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography highlights
Samsung NX5 Street photography highlights
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others (499 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography factors
Samsung NX5 Sports photography factors
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
52
MP count good (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery life (400 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 Travel photography details
Samsung NX5 Travel photography details
64
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
62
great battery life (400 per charge)
MP count good (15MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
heavier than others (499g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography features
Samsung NX5 Landscape photography features
41
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse function
68
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Samsung NX mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 Vlogging info
Samsung NX5 Vlogging info
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
24
has face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
heavier than others (499g)
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Pentax S1 vs Samsung NX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Samsung NX5
 Pentax Optio S1Samsung NX5
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax Optio S1 Samsung NX5
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-03-02 2010-06-01
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - DRIM Engine
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 15
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Samsung NX
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 32
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating Active Matrix OLED screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 11.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 gr (0.35 lb) 499 gr (1.10 lb)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 shots 400 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 sec to 30 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $174 $499