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Pentax S1 vs Sony A65

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Pentax Optio S1 front
 
Sony SLT-A65 front
Portability
64
Imaging
63
Features
85
Overall
71

Pentax S1 vs Sony A65 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
  • Released March 2011
Sony A65
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 622g - 132 x 97 x 81mm
  • Revealed November 2011
  • Newer Model is Sony A68
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Pentax S1 vs Sony A65 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Pentax S1 and Sony A65, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and A65 (24MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and A65 (APS-C) use different sensor sizes.

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The S1 was manufactured 8 months prior to the A65 so they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Sony A65 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the S1 matches up versus the A65 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Sony A65

 S1 A65 

Reasons to pick Sony A65 over the Pentax S1

 A65 S1 
RevealedNovember 2011March 2011More modern by 8 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax S1 and Sony A65

 S1 A65 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Pentax S1 vs Sony A65 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax S1 comes with outer measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Sony A65 has sizing of 132mm x 97mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2") with a weight of 622 grams (1.37 lbs).

Examine the Pentax S1 and Sony A65 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the S1 against the A65.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A65 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and A65 is 93 and 64 respectively.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A65 top view buttons comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony A65 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing specifications. The image below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the S1 and A65.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S1 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A65 will result in more detail due to its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged S1 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax S1 vs Sony A65 sensor size comparison

Pentax S1 vs Sony A65 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax S1 vs Sony A65 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax S1 Portrait photography details
Sony A65 Portrait photography details
35
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
77
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax S1 Street photography information
Sony A65 Street photography information
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
77
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax S1
Sports photography with Sony A65
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
81
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A65 as a Travel photography camera
64
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
68
good resolution (24MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Time Lapse recording
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax S1
Landscape photography with Sony A65
42
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
75
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax S1
Vlogging with Sony A65
28
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone socket
78
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic port
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Pentax S1 vs Sony A65 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax S1 and Sony A65
 Pentax Optio S1Sony SLT-A65
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax Optio S1 Sony SLT-A65
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-03-02 2011-11-15
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Total lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.73x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.90 m 10.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 157 grams (0.35 pounds) 622 grams (1.37 pounds)
Dimensions 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") 132 x 97 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 74
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 717
Other
Battery life 260 images 560 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI92 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $174 $700