Clicky

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980 front
Portability
94
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 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
  • Introduced March 2011
Sony S980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
  • 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
  • Introduced February 2009
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Pentax S1 vs Sony S980, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the S980 (12MP) is very well matched and they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The S1 was introduced 2 years after the S980 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the S1 matches up vs the S980 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

        

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony S980

 S1 S980 
IntroducedMarch 2011February 2009More modern by 25 months

Reasons to pick Sony S980 over the Pentax S1

 S980 S1 

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony S980

 S1 S980 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display dimensions
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Pentax S1 comes with outer 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 S980 has specifications of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).

See the Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the S1 versus the S980.

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and S980 is 93 and 94 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes merely by looking at specs. The pic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and S980.

All in all, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax S1 to give extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The fresher S1 provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography features
Sony S980 Portrait photography features
35
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
27
you can focus manually
no manual control
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
Sony S980 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony S980 as a Sports photography camera
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
17
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax S1
Travel photography with Sony S980
64
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
51
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S980 as a Landscape photography camera
42
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
no Timelapse function
27
you can focus manually
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 Vlogging details
Sony S980 Vlogging details
28
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone port
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone support
Photography Glossary

Pentax S1 vs Sony S980 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony S980
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S980
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-03-02 2009-02-17
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
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) 33-132mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.2
Macro focusing range 1cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.50 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157g (0.35 pounds) 167g (0.37 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $174 $300