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Pentax S1 vs Sony A300

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 front
Portability
64
Imaging
49
Features
45
Overall
47

Pentax S1 vs Sony A300 Key Specs

Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
Sony A300
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
  • Released January 2008
  • New Model is Sony A330
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Pentax S1 vs Sony A300 Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Pentax S1 versus Sony A300, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and A300 (10MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and A300 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizes.

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The S1 was introduced 3 years after the A300 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A300 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a complete comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the S1 matches up against the A300 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony A300

 S1 A300 
ReleasedMarch 2011January 2008Newer by 38 months

Reasons to pick Sony A300 over the Pentax S1

 A300 S1 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony A300

 S1 A300 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display dimension2.7"2.7"Identical display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax S1 vs Sony A300 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax S1 has exterior dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony A300 has sizing of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax S1 versus Sony A300 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the S1 and the A300.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A300 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S1 and A300 is 93 and 64 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony A300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and A300.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S1 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax S1 will produce extra detail using its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The younger S1 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A300 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony A300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony A300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography information
Sony A300 Portrait photography information
35
you can focus manually
MP count good (14MP)
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
59
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
low MP (10MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography details
Sony A300 Street photography details
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A300 as a Sports photography camera
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
54
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
low MP (10 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 Travel photography info
Sony A300 Travel photography info
64
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
45
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A300 as a Landscape photography camera
42
you can focus manually
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
57
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
low MP (10MP)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax S1
Vlogging with Sony A300
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic support
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax S1 vs Sony A300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony A300
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio S1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A300
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-03-02 2008-01-30
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157g (0.35 pounds) 632g (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 64
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 538
Other
Battery life 260 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $174 $0