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Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V front
Portability
92
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V 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 HX7V
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 208g - 102 x 58 x 29mm
  • Launched July 2011
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Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V Overview

Below is a complete analysis of the Pentax S1 and Sony HX7V, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the HX7V (16MP) is very well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The S1 was introduced 4 months prior to the HX7V so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the S1 grades against the HX7V for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony HX7V

 S1 HX7V 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Reasons to pick Sony HX7V over the Pentax S1

 HX7V S1 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony HX7V

 S1 HX7V 
LaunchedMarch 2011July 2011Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax S1 features outside dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony HX7V has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

See the Pentax S1 and Sony HX7V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the S1 vs the HX7V.

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1 and HX7V is 93 and 92 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to picture the difference between sensor measurements only by reading through specifications. The graphic below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and HX7V.

Plainly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should expect to see the Sony HX7V to give more detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography advice
Sony HX7V Portrait photography advice
35
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
30
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax S1
Street photography with Sony HX7V
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography features
Sony HX7V Sports photography features
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony HX7V as a Travel photography camera
64
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.5)
67
good MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax S1
Landscape photography with Sony HX7V
42
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 Vlogging advice
Sony HX7V Vlogging advice
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
32
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic port
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Pentax S1 vs Sony HX7V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony HX7V
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-03-02 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.90 m 4.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 gr (0.35 lbs) 208 gr (0.46 lbs)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $174 $499