Clicky

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
79
Overall
62

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV 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 RX100 IV
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 298g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Released June 2015
  • Superseded the Sony RX100 III
  • Replacement is Sony RX100 V
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Pentax S1 and Sony RX100 IV, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by competitors Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and RX100 IV (20MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and RX100 IV (1") possess totally different sensor measurements.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The S1 was unveiled 5 years prior to the RX100 IV which is quite a serious difference 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 RX100 IV being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the S1 scores versus the RX100 IV with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony RX100 IV

 S1 RX100 IV 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 IV over the Pentax S1

 RX100 IV S1 
ReleasedJune 2015March 2011Newer by 52 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kCrisper screen (+999k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony RX100 IV

 S1 RX100 IV 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax S1 enjoys physical measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony RX100 IV has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") having a weight of 298 grams (0.66 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax S1 and Sony RX100 IV in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the S1 and the RX100 IV.

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S1 and RX100 IV is 93 and 89 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to see the gap between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S1 and RX100 IV.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S1 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Sony RX100 IV will resolve greater detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged S1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony RX100 IV Portrait photography highlights
35
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
65
you can focus manually
above average flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (1")
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
can't use external flash
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography information
Sony RX100 IV Street photography information
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
85
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (298g)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Sports photography camera
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
68
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
high fps (16.0 frames/s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
features tracking autofocus
does not have phase detect auto focus
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax S1
Travel photography with Sony RX100 IV
64
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
86
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 IV as a Landscape photography camera
42
focusing manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
74
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 Vlogging factors
Sony RX100 IV Vlogging factors
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
81
pretty wide (24mm)
very good maximum aperture (f1.8)
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (298 grams)
no external microphone port
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Pentax S1 vs Sony RX100 IV Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony RX100 IV
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV
Class Small Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-03-02 2015-06-10
Body design Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 2.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/2000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 16.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.90 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157g (0.35 lb) 298g (0.66 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 70
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 562
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 280 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $174 $898