Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100
93 Imaging
37 Features
31 Overall
34


91 Imaging
50 Features
68 Overall
57
Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 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
- Introduced March 2011
(Full Review)
- 20MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-100mm (F1.8-4.9) lens
- 240g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
- Released August 2012
- New Model is Sony RX100 II

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Pentax S1 and Sony RX100, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and RX100 (20MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and RX100 (1") boast different sensor measurements.

The S1 was unveiled 18 months prior to the RX100 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony RX100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.
Before delving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the S1 matches up vs the RX100 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax Optio S1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100. The full galleries are available at Pentax S1 Gallery and Sony RX100 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony RX100
S1 | RX100 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony RX100 over the Pentax S1
RX100 | S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | August 2012 | ![]() | March 2011 | Newer by 18 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1229k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+999k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony RX100
S1 | RX100 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax S1 enjoys physical measurements 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 RX100 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs).
Check the Pentax S1 and Sony RX100 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the S1 vs the RX100.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and RX100 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specifications. The pic underneath will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and RX100.
Plainly, both of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S1 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony RX100 will resolve extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged S1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 Specifications
Pentax Optio S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax Optio S1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-03-02 | 2012-08-28 |
Physical type | Compact | Large Sensor Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | 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 |
Full resolution | 4288 x 3216 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | 28-100mm (3.6x) |
Max aperture | f/3.5-5.5 | f/1.8-4.9 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 2.7 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 1,229k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating | WhiteMagic TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 4 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1500 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 1.0fps | 10.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.90 m | - |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/2000 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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) | 240 grams (0.53 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") | 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 12.4 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 390 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 260 pictures | 330 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI92 | NP-BX1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $174 | $448 |