Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


89 Imaging
54 Features
58 Overall
55
Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio S1 and Sony Alpha NEX-5. The entire galleries are viewable at Pentax S1 Gallery and Sony NEX-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony NEX-5
S1 | NEX-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | March 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | Newer by 9 months |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-5 over the Pentax S1
NEX-5 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony NEX-5 Specifications
Pentax Optio S1 | Sony 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 |