• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.5 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax K-S1 advantages over Nikon Z6

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 480 vs 380 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    83 mm vs 70 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Lighter weight
    765g vs 1175g
    Lighter weight
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Nikon Z6 advantages over Pentax K-S1

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.94 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Higher effective ISO
    3,299 vs 1,061 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.80x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.5 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    47 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 51200 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
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-S1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.

  • Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).

The Competition

Compared to Sony A58

Pentax K-S1
Sony A58
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Nikon Z6
Sony A58
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S1
Nikon D5500
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
Nikon Z6
Nikon D5500
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to 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
Nikon Z6
Pentax K-S2
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A7 III

Pentax K-S1
Sony A7 III
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Nikon Z6
Sony A7 III
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • More dots on screen
  • $1865
  • 35mm
  • NFC
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Canon EOS R

Pentax K-S1
Canon EOS R
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Nikon Z6
Canon EOS R
  • $1797
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1589
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
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