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Pentax S1 vs Sony H55

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
28
Overall
32

Pentax S1 vs Sony H55 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
  • Revealed March 2011
Sony H55
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 200g - 103 x 58 x 29mm
  • Released June 2010
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Pentax S1 vs Sony H55 Overview

Following is a in-depth overview of the Pentax S1 versus Sony H55, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the H55 (14MP) is fairly similar and both cameras have the same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The S1 was brought out 9 months after the H55 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summation of how the S1 scores vs the H55 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony H55

 S1 H55 
ReleasedMarch 2011June 2010More modern by 9 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Reasons to pick Sony H55 over the Pentax S1

 H55 S1 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony H55

 S1 H55 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax S1 vs Sony H55 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera often, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax S1 enjoys external measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony H55 has proportions of 103mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Examine the Pentax S1 versus Sony H55 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the S1 vs the H55.

Pentax S1 vs Sony H55 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and H55 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony H55 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony H55 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its tough to see the difference between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The image here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and H55.

To sum up, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the identical resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photographs however you need to take the release date of the products into consideration. The younger S1 is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax S1 vs Sony H55 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony H55 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony H55 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography features
Sony H55 Portrait photography features
35
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax S1
Street photography with Sony H55
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
56
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax S1
Sports photography with Sony H55
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
38
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax S1
Travel photography with Sony H55
64
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
66
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography factors
Sony H55 Landscape photography factors
42
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
41
rather wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax S1
Vlogging with Sony H55
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone support
28
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
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Pentax S1 vs Sony H55 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony H55
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-03-02 2010-06-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Slow Syncro, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157 grams (0.35 lbs) 200 grams (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 103 x 58 x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $174 $235