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Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Alpha QX1 front
Portability
90
Imaging
62
Features
48
Overall
56

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 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
  • Released March 2011
Sony QX1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • " Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 216g - 74 x 70 x 53mm
  • Launched September 2014
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Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 Overview

Lets look closer at the Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Lens-style by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and QX1 (20MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and QX1 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The S1 was released 4 years prior to the QX1 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX1 being a Lens-style camera.

Before going straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the S1 matches up vs the QX1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony QX1

 S1 QX1 
Screen dimension2.7""Bigger screen (+2.7")
Screen resolution230k0kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Pentax S1

 QX1 S1 
LaunchedSeptember 2014March 2011Newer by 42 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony QX1

 S1 QX1 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax S1 provides external measurements 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 QX1 has dimensions of 74mm x 70mm x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1") having a weight of 216 grams (0.48 lbs).

Compare the Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the S1 versus the QX1.

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the S1 and QX1 is 93 and 90 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over specs. The picture here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the S1 and QX1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S1 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony QX1 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged S1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Portrait photography camera
35
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
no manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Street photography camera
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
69
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
features touch focus
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (216g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax S1
Sports photography with Sony QX1
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
56
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery pack (440 per charge)
low frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony QX1 as a Travel photography camera
64
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
great battery pack (440 CIPA)
features touch focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than others in class (216g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography advice
Sony QX1 Landscape photography advice
42
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (14MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
63
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (440 shots)
tiny screen ( inch)
lack of manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony QX1 as a Vlogging camera
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone jack
32
built-in touchscreen
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than others in class (216 grams)
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Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony QX1
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Alpha QX1
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio S1 Sony Alpha QX1
Class Small Sensor Compact Lens-style
Released 2011-03-02 2014-09-03
Physical type Compact Lens-style
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.2 x 15.4mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 357.3mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Crop factor 5.8 1.6
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches -
Resolution of screen 230k dots 0k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 4.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Off, auto, fill, slow sync, rear sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 157 gr (0.35 lb) 216 gr (0.48 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 74 x 70 x 53mm (2.9" x 2.8" x 2.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 440 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $174 $500