Pentax K-S1 vs Sony SLT Alpha 68 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Pentax · DSLR · 20.12 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-S1
57
SCORE
|
Sony · DSLR · 24 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Sony SLT Alpha 68
58
WINNER
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Pentax K-S1 and the Sony SLT Alpha 68 are both DSLRs, released in 2014 and 2015. The K-S1 is the more compact body at 121 x 93 x 70 mm and 558 g. The Alpha 68 is the larger and heavier option at 143 x 104 x 81 mm and 610 g. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2014 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
August 27, 2014 | November 5, 2015 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 121 x 93 x 70 mm | 143 x 104 x 81 mm |
| Camera weight | 558 g | 610 g |
| Optics | 68/100 | 71/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Sony SLT Alpha 68 is the stronger choice for moving subjects, pairing an 8 fps burst with 79 autofocus points against 5.4 fps and 11 points on the Pentax K-S1. Wider coverage gives you more focus-point placement on an off-centre subject. Its 24 MP sensor offers 19.3 percent more pixels than the K-S1's 20.12 MP, leaving more room to crop a distant bird. Each body brings a different native lens system: the K-S1 uses the Pentax KAF mount, the Alpha 68 the Sony Alpha DT mount. Both share an APS-C CMOS sensor format and in-body stabilisation, which lets any lens be handheld at slower shutter speeds. The viewfinders split the choice, with the K-S1's optical pentaprism showing no lag and the Alpha 68's 1440000-dot electronic finder previewing exposure before capture. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
20.12 MP050 | 24 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 | 6000 x 4000 |
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 | 8 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 X |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 256003003280000 |
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 | 790300 |
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 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe Alpha 68 gives you twice the slow-motion room, with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps against 30 fps on the K-S1. A sprinting athlete or a bird taking off plays back at half speed when 60 fps footage is shown at 30. Both cap video resolution at Full HD, so neither is a 4K tool. File formats also differ in how they fit an editing workflow. The Alpha 68 offers XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0 and MP4, while the K-S1 records MOV and AVI. | ||
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 | 60 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 | XAVC S, AVCHD Ver. 2.0, MP4 |
| Features | 41/100 | 35/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesScreen handling favours the Alpha 68 for awkward angles, because its 2.7-inch LCD tilts for waist-level or tripod framing while the K-S1's 3-inch screen is fixed. The K-S1 answers with a sharper display for reviewing focus and detail, at 921000 dots against 460800 on the Sony. Flash and live view are shared ground. Both include a built-in flash, support an external flash and offer live view. Neither has touch control, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS or weather sealing. | ||
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 | TFT 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 | 4608001150001500000 |
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 | 29/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe Alpha 68 holds the battery advantage, rated for 580 shots against 410 on the K-S1. Each uses its own pack, the NP-FM500H and the D-LI109, and neither supports USB charging. Both take a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card, and the Alpha 68 also accepts Memory Stick Pro Duo. Neither has a second card slot. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC, Memory Stick Pro 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 | 580 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
For sports, wildlife and children, the Sony SLT Alpha 68 is the better pick. Its 79 autofocus points and 8 fps burst serve action, the 60 fps maximum frame rate opens up slow motion, and the tilting screen helps at waist level. The 580-shot rating and exposure-previewing viewfinder suit long shooting days.
Choose the Pentax K-S1 for its lag-free optical pentaprism finder, or the smaller 558 g body when travel weight matters. Its 1/6000 second top shutter speed permits shorter exposures than the Alpha 68's 1/4000, useful for wide-aperture daylight work.