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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Alpha A7S front
Portability
77
Imaging
60
Features
73
Overall
65

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Announced July 2014
Sony A7S
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 409600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 489g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Renewed by Sony A7S II
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the XG-1 (16MP) and A7S (12MP) and the XG-1 (1/2.3") and A7S (Full frame) offer different sensor sizes.

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The XG-1 was announced 4 months later than the A7S so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony A7S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the XG-1 scores against the A7S when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony A7S

 XG-1 A7S 

Reasons to pick Sony A7S over the Pentax XG-1

 A7S XG-1 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1230k460kSharper screen (+770k dot)

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony A7S

 XG-1 A7S 
IntroducedJuly 2014April 2014Same generation
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax XG-1 has outer measurements of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony A7S has measurements of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") along with a weight of 489 grams (1.08 lbs).

Look at the Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the XG-1 versus the A7S.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the XG-1 and A7S is 66 and 77 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching specs. The visual underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the XG-1 and A7S.

All in all, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The XG-1 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax XG-1 will render extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A7S as a Portrait photography camera
40
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
68
manual focus
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography advice
Sony A7S Street photography advice
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (567g)
76
screen tilts
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
lighter than others (489 grams)
above average high ISO (409,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax XG-1
Sports photography with Sony A7S
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (240 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
52
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery pack (360 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography details
Sony A7S Travel photography details
52
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (1248mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (240 shots)
heavier than competition in class (567g)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
lighter than others (489 grams)
weather sealing
terrible battery pack (360 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Landscape photography information
Sony A7S Landscape photography information
45
has manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery pack (240 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
66
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
above average high ISO (409,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
terrible battery pack (360 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7S as a Vlogging camera
25
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of mic port
heavier than competition in class (567g)
34
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has microphone socket
lighter than others (489 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony A7S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony A7S
 Pentax XG-1Sony Alpha A7S
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax XG-1 Sony Alpha A7S
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2014-07-15 2014-04-06
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.8 x 23.9mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 855.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4240 x 2832
Max native ISO 3200 409600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
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 - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony E
Lens zoom range 24-1248mm (52.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 121
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 1,230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 200 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.71x
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 9.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction no built-in flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 3840 x 2160, XAVC S 1080 60p(50Mbps), 30p (50Mbps), 24p (50Mbps). 720 120p (50Mbps). AVCHD 60p (28Mbps), 60i (24Mbps/17Mbps), 24p (24Mbps/17Mbps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 567g (1.25 lb) 489g (1.08 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 87
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 3702
Other
Battery life 240 photographs 360 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LB-060 NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse recording With downloadable app
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $599 $1,998