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Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 Mark II front
Portability
62
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II 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
  • Announced March 2011
Sony A9 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 678g - 129 x 96 x 76mm
  • Released October 2019
  • Old Model is Sony A9
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Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Pentax S1 and Sony A9 II, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a noticeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and A9 II (24MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and A9 II (Full frame) possess totally different sensor size.

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The S1 was brought out 9 years earlier than the A9 II which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A9 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple view of how the S1 grades against the A9 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony A9 II

 S1 A9 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A9 II over the Pentax S1

 A9 II S1 
ReleasedOctober 2019March 2011More modern by 104 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1440k230kCrisper display (+1210k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony A9 II

 S1 A9 II 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax S1 has exterior dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony A9 II has measurements of 129mm x 96mm x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0") having a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Look at the Pentax S1 and Sony A9 II in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the S1 compared to the A9 II.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and A9 II is 93 and 62 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizes only by looking through specifications. The picture underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and A9 II.

To sum up, each of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S1 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A9 II will result in greater detail having its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged S1 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography factors
Sony A9 II Portrait photography factors
34
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
84
focusing manually
MP count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography details
Sony A9 II Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
78
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
offers touch to focus
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A9 II as a Sports photography camera
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
87
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high max frames per second (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery life (690 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 Travel photography factors
Sony A9 II Travel photography factors
64
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
72
better than average battery life (690 per charge)
environment proof
supports bluetooth
offers touch to focus
MP count good (24MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography information
Sony A9 II Landscape photography information
41
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
85
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery life (690 CIPA)
has dual storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 Vlogging advice
Sony A9 II Vlogging advice
28
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Pentax S1 vs Sony A9 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony A9 II
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio S1 Sony Alpha A9 Mark II
Type Small Sensor Compact Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2011-03-02 2019-10-03
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Max enhanced ISO - 204800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 693
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony E
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,440 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/8000s
Fastest quiet shutter speed - 1/32000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, XAVC S, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM
Max video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 gr (0.35 lbs) 678 gr (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 129 x 96 x 76mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 3.0")
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 photographs 690 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous, 3 or 5 frames)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 1 2
Retail cost $174 $4,498