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Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500 front
Portability
91
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48

Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 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
  • Introduced March 2011
Sony WX500
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 236g - 102 x 58 x 36mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Previous Model is Sony WX350
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Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 Overview

Its time to look a little more closely at the Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and WX500 (18MP) but both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The S1 was introduced 5 years earlier than the WX500 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the S1 scores vs the WX500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony WX500

 S1 WX500 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Reasons to pick Sony WX500 over the Pentax S1

 WX500 S1 
LaunchedApril 2015March 2011Newer by 50 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony WX500

 S1 WX500 
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax S1 has physical dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony WX500 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4") along with a weight of 236 grams (0.52 lbs).

Compare the Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the S1 versus the WX500.

Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and WX500 is 93 and 91 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions just by looking at technical specs. The picture here should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and WX500.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Sony WX500 to give you greater detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged S1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography highlights
Sony WX500 Portrait photography highlights
35
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
39
good resolution (18 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax S1
Street photography with Sony WX500
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
70
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Sports photography camera
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
57
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
good battery pack (360 shots)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax S1
Travel photography with Sony WX500
64
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
71
good battery pack (360 per charge)
lighter than competition (236 grams)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
quite wide (24mm)
long zoom (720mm)
no Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony WX500 as a Landscape photography camera
42
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
49
quite wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
good battery pack (360 CIPA)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony WX500 as a Vlogging camera
28
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
35
quite wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (236g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no mic jack
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Pentax S1 vs Sony WX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony WX500
 Pentax Optio S1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio S1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2011-03-02 2015-04-14
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) 24-720mm (30.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 f/3.5-6.4
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 5.40 m (with Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, flash on, slow sync, flash off, rear sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 grams (0.35 lbs) 236 grams (0.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 102 x 58 x 36mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images 360 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $174 $348