Sony A57 vs Pentax K-S1

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Sony A57 vs Pentax K-S1

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 16,000

Go in depth with our full Sony A57 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the A57.

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

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

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Differences

Sony A57 advantages over Pentax K-S1

In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
More viewfinder magnification
0.69x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More AF points
15 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-S1 advantages over Sony A57

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
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 A57 test data on DxO Mark

1,061 vs 785 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Neither provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Neither provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read A57 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S1 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-S1

Body Only

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

All K-S1 Deals

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Sony A57, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Sony A57 First Shots

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

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D5100

Sony A57

Nikon D5100

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A57 vs Nikon D5100

Pentax K-S1

Nikon D5100

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Sony A37

Sony A57

Sony A37

$800
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Higher-res screen

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
External Mic Jack

Compare Sony A57 vs Sony A37

Pentax K-S1

Sony A37

$502
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A37

Compared to Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A57

Pentax K-5 IIs

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

Compare Sony A57 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-5 IIs

$502
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$497
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Compared to Sony A58

Sony A57

Sony A58

$800
APS-C

Higher-res screen
More viewfinder magnification

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
Longer stills battery life

Compare Sony A57 vs 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

Compared to Pentax K-S2

Sony A57

Pentax K-S2

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Longer stills battery life

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony A57 vs 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

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