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Pentax S1 vs Sony H20

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Pentax S1 vs Sony H20 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
  • Revealed March 2011
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Introduced May 2009
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Pentax S1 vs Sony H20 Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Pentax S1 versus Sony H20, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and H20 (10MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S1 was brought out 22 months after the H20 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving in to a complete comparison, below is a concise summary of how the S1 matches up against the H20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony H20

 S1 H20 
IntroducedMarch 2011May 2009More modern by 22 months

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Pentax S1

 H20 S1 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony H20

 S1 H20 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax S1 vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and size. The Pentax S1 comes with outer dimensions 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 H20 has specifications of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") with a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax S1 versus Sony H20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the S1 vs the H20.

Pentax S1 vs Sony H20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and H20 is 93 and 87 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes just by researching specifications. The picture here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and H20.

Plainly, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax S1 to provide you with more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The younger S1 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax S1 vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography information
Sony H20 Portrait photography information
35
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
27
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography details
Sony H20 Street photography details
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
51
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than others (250 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography details
Sony H20 Sports photography details
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
slow fps (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
26
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax S1
Travel photography with Sony H20
64
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
very long zoom (380mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than others (250 grams)
MP count low (10MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony H20 as a Landscape photography camera
42
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse function
36
you can focus manually
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
MP count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax S1
Vlogging with Sony H20
28
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (38mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than others (250g)
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Pentax S1 vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony H20
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-03-02 2009-05-14
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 38-380mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.5-4.4
Macro focus range 1cm 2cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1500s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 gr (0.35 pounds) 250 gr (0.55 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $174 $249