Pentax K-S1

118 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (54)
performance (36)
screen (20)
portability (19)
price (16)

Negative
zoom (1)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 118 reviews of Pentax K-S1. The average rating for this product is 4.1/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. People are impressed by the design and screen. The portability and performance are also appreciated. Some have doubts about the zoom.

usability, performance, portability, screen, design

zoom

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Pentax K-S1 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 118 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

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performance
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portability
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screen
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design
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Showing 1 - 16 of 31 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (80)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Pentax K-S1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 3 user reviews of Pentax K-S1 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers are impressed by the usability. The performance also gets good views, whereas many are negative about the image quality.

portability, performance, usability

image quality

67% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Pentax K-S1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1 user review of Pentax K-S1 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 5.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com.

100% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.ca)

Amazon.ca review summary for Pentax K-S1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 2 user reviews of Pentax K-S1 from Amazon.ca. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.ca.

100% of the reviews on Amazon.ca give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Jim Fisher (pcmag.com)

Pentax K-S1

The Pentax K-S1 doesn't look like any other SLR on the market, but aside from a disappointing video mode, it's a solid performer.

Uniquely designed. Compact. Available in many color choices. Excellent image quality. In-camera shake reduction. AA filter simulation option. Pentaprism viewfinder. 1/6,000-second shutter.

Slow video AF. Shallow handgrip. Small continuous shooting buffer. Lacks in-camera Wi-Fi. No microphone input. Pricey.

The bottommost button, Info, changes what's shown on the rear display. By default the screen shows current shooting settings and devotes part of its area to mirror the directional controls to its right. Pressing Info again changes to an on-screen menu...

Oct, 2014

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Pentax K-S1 sheds light on your dSLR options

Pentax hopes to attract a new group of dSLR buyers with some design flash and an updated control layout.

Aug, 2014

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Expert review by : Jeff Keller (dpreview.com)

Hands-on with the Pentax K-S1

The Pentax K-S1 is a unique-looking DSLR, with pulsing LED lights on the front and a backlit mode dial on the back. There's more to the K-S1 than just its looks, including a new sensor, image processor, and even a new font in the menus. As always, all...

Aug, 2014

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Expert review by : Ilse Jurriën (letsgodigital.org)

Pentax K-S1 Sweets Collection

Pentax K-S1 digital SLR camera : Fast on the heels of the Pentax K-S1, launched in September 2014, Ricoh Imaging has announced the latest additions to this outstanding range of innovative digital SLR cameras - the Pentax K-S1 Sweets Collection. The new...

The Pentax K-S1 is immediate available and carries a suggested retail price of £550 GBP / $750 USD / € 650 EUR for the body-only. The Pentax K-S1 with SMC DA L 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens costs £600 GBP / $800 USD / €700 EUR.

Nov, 2014

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Expert review by : Ilse Jurriën (letsgodigital.org)

Pentax K-S1 sample photos

Pentax K-S1 photo gallery : Ricoh Imaging has introduced the Pentax K-S1, a new system camera with a 20 megapixel CMOS sensor, a sophisticated anti-moiré function, a sensitivity to ISO 51200, a burst mode of 5.4 fps and a Full HD video mode with a...

The K-S1 is available in 12 color variations including Black, Blue and White as standard, four models from the Fabric collection (Cotton Beige, Linen Brown, Denim Blue, Tweed Gray) and five from the Night Sky collection (Sunset Orange, Dusk Gold, Moon...

Oct, 2014

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Expert review by : Ilse Jurriën (letsgodigital.org)

Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S1 digital SLR camera : Meet the Pentax K-S1, the latest digital SLR to join the Ricoh Imaging family. Featuring outstanding imaging performance, progressive design and an innovative illuminated body, the Pentax K-S1 rivals even high-end...

Featuring a body that bucks the trend of conventional digital SLR camera design, this camera also boasts an innovative illumination interface system that intuitively reacts to changes in camera operation from stills to video, ensuring the Pentax K-S1...

Sep, 2014

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Expert review by : Jack Baker (photographyblog.com)

Pentax K-S1 Review

The Pentax K-S1 is set to replace the K-500 as Pentax/Ricoh's new entry-level DSLR. Available in an 18-55mm lens kit for around £440/$650, it takes on the Canon EOS 100D and Nikon D3300.

The K-S1 is an interesting successor to the outgoing K-500. Where that camera was a great introduction to DSLR photography with its solid all-round performance and intuitive controls, the K-S1 picks up the same baton but also adds a level of style you...

Feb, 2015

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Expert review by : William Brawley (imaging-resource.com)

Pentax K-S1 Review

If you thought most new cameras nowadays are all about being "retro" and taking cues from cameras of yesteryear, take heed: Ricoh is going in a bold new direction with their latest DSLR, the new Pentax K-S1. Sporting a strikingly futuristic design, the...

Set to be available at retailers nationwide in September, the body-only version will be available for US$749.95 and a kit bundled with the SMC Pentax-DAL 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL lens for US$799.95. There's is also a two-lens kit that adds the Pentax...

Aug, 2014

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Expert review by : Richard Sibley (trustedreviews.com)

Pentax K-S1

Beneath the rather odd exterior sits a solid DSLR

Decent image quality ; Tons of compatible lenses ; Handy light-up controls

Non-tilting screen ; No Wi-Fi or NFC ; Unconventional mode dial

Where things go off the rails is bit is when picking a mode. Instead of having an independent mode dial like most cameras of this grade, the Pentax K-S1 uses a dial that works around the directional pad on the back. It’s stiff and awkward – a visual...

Dec, 2014

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Expert review by : Amy Davies (techradar.com)