• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony HX300 advantages over Pentax K-S1

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-S1 advantages over Sony HX300

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.19 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    69 mm vs 103 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    20 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

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  • Body Only
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Review Excerpt

  • Super-versatile 50x optical zoom lens helps you capture everything from wide-angle cityscapes to zoomed in portraits from what feels like a mile away; Still quite light and portable considering the powerful lens; Comfortable and ergonomic design; Full HD video recording at up to 60p, with good quality.

  • Relatively small, 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor delivers average image quality that degrades quickly at high sensitivities; Images not as sharp or as bright at full telephoto as we had hoped; Slow camera to use overall.

  • Read our Sony HX300 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm SL1000

Sony HX300
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • More pixels
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • RAW file ability

Compare Sony HX300 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Pentax K-S1
Fujifilm SL1000
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Fujifilm SL1000

Compared to Sony A58

Sony HX300
Sony A58
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher-res screen
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX300 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 Samsung WB2200F

Sony HX300
Samsung WB2200F
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony HX300 vs Samsung WB2200F

Pentax K-S1
Samsung WB2200F
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $675
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Samsung WB2200F

Compared to Sony HX400V

Sony HX300
Sony HX400V
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony HX300 vs Sony HX400V

Pentax K-S1
Sony HX400V
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $448
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Sony HX400V

Compared to Pentax K-S2

Sony HX300
Pentax K-S2
  • $600
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher-res screen
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Sony HX300 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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