Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX10 III

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX10 III

Leave Feedback

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-S1 Review.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX10 III Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX10 III in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX10 III.
Compare Sony RX10 III image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX10 III conclusion.

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-S1 advantages over Sony RX10 III

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-S1 test data on DxO Mark RX10 III test data on DxO Mark

1,061 vs 472 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
69 mm vs 127 mm
Thinner
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony RX10 III advantages over Pentax K-S1

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
14.2 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
44 vs 20 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/32000 vs 1/6000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S1 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-S1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

All K-S1 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony RX10 III

Sony RX10 III

All RX10 III Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t reviewed the Pentax K-S1.
Read our Pentax K-S1 Preview

Versatile all-in-one replacement for a DSLR or mirrorless camera; Great handling and build; Excellent image quality; Spectacular zoom reach; Swift performance with generous buffer depths; Extremely capable video capture; Comprehensive remote control; Quick-and-easy image sharing
Extremely expensive for a fixed-lens camera; Fairly heavy for fixed-lens camera; Somewhat soft in the corners at wide-angle or tele; Noise reduction intrudes at higher sensitivities; No built-in ND filter; Not as fast when shooting raws; Slow buffer clearing
Read our Sony RX10 III Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A58

Pentax K-S1

Sony A58

$502
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A58

Sony RX10 III

Sony A58

$1398
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Wi-Fi

$598
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony RX10 III vs Sony A58

Compared to Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5500

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Nikon D5500

Sony RX10 III

Nikon D5500

$1398
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$697
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Sony RX10 III vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2

$502
APS-C

Higher-res screen

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2

Sony RX10 III

Pentax K-S2

$1398
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Sony RX10 III vs Pentax K-S2

Compared to Panasonic FZ2500

Pentax K-S1

Panasonic FZ2500

$502
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Panasonic FZ2500

Sony RX10 III

Panasonic FZ2500

$1398
1 inch

Slower slow-motion
Larger lens aperture

$899
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony RX10 III vs Panasonic FZ2500

Compared to Sony RX10 IV

Pentax K-S1

Sony RX10 IV

$502
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1698
1 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Sony RX10 IV

Sony RX10 III

Sony RX10 IV

$1398
1 inch

Less expensive

$1698
1 inch

Touchscreen
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Sony RX10 III vs Sony RX10 IV

Compare Other Cameras?