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Pentax S1 vs Sony A700

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 front
Portability
58
Imaging
51
Features
58
Overall
53

Pentax S1 vs Sony A700 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
Sony A700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 768g - 142 x 105 x 80mm
  • Revealed December 2007
  • Replaced the Konica Minolta 7D
  • Successor is Sony A77
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Pentax S1 vs Sony A700 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Pentax S1 versus Sony A700, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the A700 (12MP) is fairly close but the S1 (1/2.3") and A700 (APS-C) have different sensor size.

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The S1 was announced 3 years after the A700 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A700 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a brief overview of how the S1 grades versus the A700 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony A700

 S1 A700 
RevealedMarch 2011December 2007Newer by 39 months

Reasons to pick Sony A700 over the Pentax S1

 A700 S1 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony A700

 S1 A700 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Pentax S1 vs Sony A700 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax S1 features exterior measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony A700 has measurements of 142mm x 105mm x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1") with a weight of 768 grams (1.69 lbs).

Examine the Pentax S1 versus Sony A700 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view measurement comparison of the S1 against the A700.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A700 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and A700 is 93 and 58 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A700 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony A700 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions purely by looking through technical specs. The pic below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the S1 and A700.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S1 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax S1 will render more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The fresher S1 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A700 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony A700 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony A700 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A700 as a Portrait photography camera
35
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
54
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography features
Sony A700 Street photography features
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A700 as a Sports photography camera
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 Travel photography details
Sony A700 Travel photography details
64
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
49
environment proof
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography information
Sony A700 Landscape photography information
42
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
62
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
no liveview feature
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A700 as a Vlogging camera
28
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
9
no video
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Pentax S1 vs Sony A700 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony A700
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio S1 Sony Alpha DSLR-A700
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-03-02 2007-12-19
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4272 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.6x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.90 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, rear curtain, Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/250 secs
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 gr (0.35 lbs) 768 gr (1.69 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 142 x 105 x 80mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.9
DXO Low light score not tested 581
Other
Battery life 260 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Storage slots One 2
Cost at release $174 $1,000