Pentax K-S1 vs Sony SLT Alpha 58 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 20.12 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-S1
57
WINNER
|
Sony · DSLR · 20.1 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 58
53
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-S1 and the Sony SLT Alpha 58 are both DSLRs taking interchangeable lenses, announced in 2014 and 2013. Each uses its own native mount, Pentax KAF on the K-S1 and Sony Alpha DT on the A58, so the lens system you own or plan to build should shape the choice. Neither body takes the other brand's lenses directly. Size and weight split in opposite directions. The K-S1 is smaller at 121 x 93 x 70 mm but heavier at 558 g, while the A58 measures 129 x 95 x 78 mm and weighs 492 g, a 66 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2013 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 27, 2014 | February 20, 2013 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 121 x 93 x 70 mm | 129 x 95 x 78 mm |
| Camera weight | 558 g | 492 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 63/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe K-S1 offers the wider exposure settings. Its ISO range extends to 51200 against the A58's 16000, and its top shutter speed of 1/6000 second is a shorter exposure than the A58's 1/4000 for wide apertures in strong sun. Both start at 100 ISO. Both use APS-C CMOS sensors, with 20.12 megapixels on the K-S1 and 20.1 on the A58, and both stabilise in-body, so any mounted lens gains shake reduction. The A58 offers 15 autofocus points against the K-S1's 11, and its 1440000-dot electronic viewfinder previews exposure changes, while the K-S1's optical pentaprism gives a direct view. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.12 MP050 | 20.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
5472 x 3648 | 5456 x 3632 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
15.6 x 23.5 | 15.6 x 23.5 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5.4 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Pentax KAF | Sony Alpha DT |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Prime MII | Bionz |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
512003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
512003003280000 | 160003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
600080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 150300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | 144000009900000 |
| Video | 43/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe K-S1 is the better pick for handheld clips of moving subjects. Its 30 fps maximum video frame rate against the A58's 24 fps gives smoother motion for family action or walking shots. Both cap at Full HD, recording MOV and AVI on the Pentax and AVCHD and MP4 on the Sony. Neither camera offers built-in timelapse, so interval work needs external triggering. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
30 fps | 24 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, AVI | AVCHD, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe A58's articulating screen is its standout advantage, tilting for waist-level or overhead framing that the K-S1's fixed screen cannot match. The K-S1 answers with a larger, higher-resolution display, its 3-inch LCD with 921000 dots against the A58's 2.7-inch, 460000-dot panel. Live view, a built-in flash and external flash support work on both bodies. Neither offers GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so geotagging and wireless transfer need accessories on either. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 3" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
9210001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
No |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 24/100 | 32/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe A58 is the stronger choice for long shooting days. Its NP-FM500H battery is rated at 690 shots against 410 for the K-S1's D-LI109 under their respective test conditions, a 280-shot difference. Card choices overlap rather than match. Both take SD, SDHC and SDXC cards, and the A58 additionally accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, useful if you already own Sony cards. Neither supports USB charging, so batteries charge in an external charger on both. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo / Pro-HG Duo |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | D-LI109 | NP-FM500H |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
410 shots1505000 | 690 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the K-S1 for the wider exposure settings: its ISO range reaches 51200 and its 1/6000 second top shutter holds wide apertures in sunlit portraits. Its 30 fps maximum video frame rate smooths motion in clips.
Choose the A58 for endurance and framing flexibility: a 690-shot battery rating, a tilting screen for low and high angles, and 15 autofocus points for off-centre compositions. Because the mounts are incompatible, start from the lens system you intend to build, then weigh these strengths.