Pentax S1 vs Sony QX100
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


92 Imaging
50 Features
44 Overall
47
Pentax S1 vs Sony QX100 Key Specs
(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
- Launched March 2011
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- " Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
- 179g - 63 x 63 x 56mm
- Introduced September 2013

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX100 Overview
Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Pentax S1 and Sony QX100, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Lens-style by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and QX100 (20MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and QX100 (1") use different sensor size.

The S1 was released 3 years earlier than the QX100 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony QX100 being a Lens-style camera.
Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the S1 matches up vs the QX100 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX100 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax Optio S1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax S1 Gallery and Sony QX100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony QX100
S1 | QX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | " | Larger display (+2.7") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 0k | Clearer display (+230k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony QX100 over the Pentax S1
QX100 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | September 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | Fresher by 30 months |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony QX100
S1 | QX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Pentax S1 vs Sony QX100 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax S1 features external dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony QX100 has sizing of 63mm x 63mm x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") and a weight of 179 grams (0.39 lbs).
Examine the Pentax S1 and Sony QX100 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the S1 against the QX100.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1 and QX100 is 93 and 92 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX100 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, its hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing merely by going over technical specs. The visual below should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and QX100.
As you have seen, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The S1 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Sony QX100 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older S1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony QX100 Specifications
Pentax Optio S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX100 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Lens-style |
Launched | 2011-03-02 | 2013-09-05 |
Physical type | Compact | Lens-style |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 13.2 x 8.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 116.2mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixel | 20 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 5472 x 3648 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | - |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 28-100mm (3.6x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/1.8-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7" | - |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 0k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | Depends on connected smartphone |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 4 secs | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1500 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames/s | - |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.90 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | None |
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 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone 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 pounds) | 179 gr (0.39 pounds) |
Dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 63 x 63 x 56mm (2.5" x 2.5" x 2.2") |
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 | 200 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-BN, |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2, 10 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC, Memory Stick Micro |
Card slots | One | One |
Price at release | $174 | $268 |