Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


90 Imaging
62 Features
48 Overall
56
Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio S1 and Sony Alpha QX1. The complete galleries are available at Pentax S1 Gallery and Sony QX1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony QX1
S1 | QX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | " | Bigger screen (+2.7") |
Screen resolution | 230k | ![]() | 0k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony QX1 over the Pentax S1
QX1 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | September 2014 | ![]() | March 2011 | Newer 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX1 Specifications
Pentax Optio S1 | Sony 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 |