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Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-5 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
58
Overall
55

Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 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
  • Released March 2011
Sony NEX-5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 287g - 111 x 59 x 38mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Updated by Sony NEX-5N
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Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the NEX-5 (14MP) is relatively similar but the S1 (1/2.3") and NEX-5 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The S1 was manufactured 9 months after the NEX-5 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony NEX-5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the S1 matches up against the NEX-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony NEX-5

 S1 NEX-5 
IntroducedMarch 2011June 2010Newer by 9 months

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax S1

 NEX-5 S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution920k230kClearer screen (+690k dot)

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony NEX-5

 S1 NEX-5 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax S1 enjoys external dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony NEX-5 has sizing of 111mm x 59mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the S1 and the NEX-5.

Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1 and NEX-5 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by reading technical specs. The picture here might offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and NEX-5.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor dimensions. The S1 features the tinier sensor which will make getting shallower DOF tougher. The younger S1 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography advice
Sony NEX-5 Portrait photography advice
35
focusing manually
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography factors
Sony NEX-5 Street photography factors
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
76
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-5 Sports photography info
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
52
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-5 Travel photography features
64
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
59
resolution is good (14MP)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax S1
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-5
42
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse function
68
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-5 Vlogging advice
28
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic port
28
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic socket
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Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony NEX-5
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Alpha NEX-5
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio S1 Sony Alpha NEX-5
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2011-03-02 2010-06-07
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 121
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG AVCHD
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157g (0.35 pounds) 287g (0.63 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 111 x 59 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.3" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 69
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.2
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 796
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 330 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $174 $599