Clicky

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730 front
Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
33
Overall
36

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730 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
  • Announced March 2011
Sony W730
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-224mm (F3.3-6.3) lens
  • 122g - 93 x 52 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Pentax S1 versus Sony W730, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the S1 (14MP) and the W730 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The S1 was introduced 22 months prior to the W730 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the S1 grades against the W730 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

        

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony W730

 S1 W730 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony W730 over the Pentax S1

 W730 S1 
IntroducedJanuary 2013March 2011More recent by 22 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony W730

 S1 W730 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax S1 features physical dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Sony W730 has specifications of 93mm x 52mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9") with a weight of 122 grams (0.27 lbs).

See the Pentax S1 versus Sony W730 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that moment. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the S1 vs the W730.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and W730 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements merely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and W730.

Clearly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Sony W730 to resolve more detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older S1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony W730 as a Portrait photography camera
34
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
34
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax S1
Street photography with Sony W730
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes touch to focus
lighter than competition (122 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 Sports photography advice
Sony W730 Sports photography advice
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony W730 as a Travel photography camera
64
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
lighter than competition (122g)
includes touch to focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 Landscape photography details
Sony W730 Landscape photography details
41
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
38
rather wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 Vlogging information
Sony W730 Vlogging information
28
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
34
rather wide (25mm)
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focus
lighter than competition (122 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone support
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Pentax S1 vs Sony W730 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony W730
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W730
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-03-02 2013-01-08
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 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 25-224mm (9.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.3-6.3
Macro focus distance 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating TFT LCD display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.90 m 2.80 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync, Advanced Flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 gr (0.35 pounds) 122 gr (0.27 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 93 x 52 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.0" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 240 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BN
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $174 $138