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Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1 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
  • Launched March 2011
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Introduced April 2009
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Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Pentax S1 versus Sony HX1, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and HX1 (1/2.4") posses different sensor sizing.

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The S1 was released 23 months later than the HX1 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the S1 scores against the HX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony HX1

 S1 HX1 
IntroducedMarch 2011April 2009More recent by 23 months

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Pentax S1

 HX1 S1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony HX1

 S1 HX1 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax S1 offers physical dimensions 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 HX1 has dimensions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") having a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Compare the Pentax S1 versus Sony HX1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the S1 vs the HX1.

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and HX1 is 93 and 67 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements purely by reading through specifications. The graphic here may give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and HX1.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The S1 due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Pentax S1 will give you more detail as a result of its extra 5MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more recent S1 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography information
Sony HX1 Portrait photography information
35
has manual focus
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
27
you can focus manually
external flash not possible
low megapixels (9 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography advice
Sony HX1 Street photography advice
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
50
tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
no RAW format
heavier than others (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography details
Sony HX1 Sports photography details
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
has tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
36
incredible zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
low megapixels (9 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX1 as a Travel photography camera
64
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
48
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
great reach (560mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (544 grams)
low megapixels (9 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX1 Landscape photography highlights
42
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
39
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (9 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.4")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax S1
Vlogging with Sony HX1
28
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
22
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1440 x 1080 pxls)
missing mic port
heavier than others (544 grams)
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Pentax S1 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony HX1
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-03-02 2009-04-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 9 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 3456 x 2592
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 9.20 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1440x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157 gr (0.35 pounds) 544 gr (1.20 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $174 $47,999