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Pentax S1 vs Sony W230

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
25
Overall
30

Pentax S1 vs Sony W230 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
  • Revealed March 2011
Sony W230
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 30-120mm (F2.8-5.8) lens
  • 156g - 95 x 57 x 22mm
  • Released February 2009
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Pentax S1 vs Sony W230 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Pentax S1 versus Sony W230, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the W230 (12MP) is very well matched and both cameras have the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S1 was released 2 years later than the W230 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short view of how the S1 grades versus the W230 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony W230

 S1 W230 
ReleasedMarch 2011February 2009More recent by 25 months

Reasons to pick Sony W230 over the Pentax S1

 W230 S1 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony W230

 S1 W230 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax S1 vs Sony W230 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Pentax S1 features outside dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony W230 has measurements of 95mm x 57mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax S1 versus Sony W230 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the S1 compared to the W230.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W230 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S1 and W230 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W230 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony W230 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor measurements merely by looking at a spec sheet. The graphic below will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and W230.

As you can see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Pentax S1 to give more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern S1 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W230 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony W230 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony W230 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography features
Sony W230 Portrait photography features
35
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
27
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography highlights
Sony W230 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography features
Sony W230 Sports photography features
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W230 as a Travel photography camera
64
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
no Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography details
Sony W230 Landscape photography details
42
you can focus manually
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Timelapse function
36
has manual focus
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
manual mode not possible
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 Vlogging features
Sony W230 Vlogging features
28
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (30mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 pixels)
does not have external mic jack
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Pentax S1 vs Sony W230 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony W230
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W230
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-03-02 2009-02-17
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
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) 30-120mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/2.8-5.8
Macro focusing range 1cm 4cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 1s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
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) 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 640x480
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 157 gr (0.35 pounds) 156 gr (0.34 pounds)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 95 x 57 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI92 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $174 $180