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Pentax S1 vs Sony W690

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690 front
Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
32
Overall
35

Pentax S1 vs Sony W690 Key Specs

Pentax S1
(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
Sony W690
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released February 2012
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Pentax S1 vs Sony W690 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Pentax S1 versus Sony W690, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The image resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the W690 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they come with the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S1 was revealed 12 months earlier than the W690 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a short highlight of how the S1 grades versus the W690 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony W690

 S1 W690 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony W690 over the Pentax S1

 W690 S1 
ReleasedFebruary 2012March 2011Fresher by 12 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony W690

 S1 W690 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax S1 vs Sony W690 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax S1 has 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 W690 has proportions of 94mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs).

See the Pentax S1 versus Sony W690 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the S1 against the W690.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W690 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and W690 is 93 and 95 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W690 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony W690 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing just by reading through specs. The visual here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and W690.

All in all, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should count on the Sony W690 to give you extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older S1 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W690 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony W690 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony W690 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography features
Sony W690 Portrait photography features
34
has manual focus
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
34
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography features
Sony W690 Street photography features
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography features
Sony W690 Sports photography features
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 Travel photography information
Sony W690 Travel photography information
64
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
68
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography advice
Sony W690 Landscape photography advice
41
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
quite wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony W690 as a Vlogging camera
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone support
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Pentax S1 vs Sony W690 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony W690
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W690
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-03-02 2012-02-28
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
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 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating ClearPhoto TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.90 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
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 157 grams (0.35 lb) 142 grams (0.31 lb)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 94 x 56 x 22mm (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 photographs 220 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI92 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $174 $297