K-S1

K-S1

General Description

The K-S1 features a design concept which is quite different from that of any other Pentax DSLR. When introduced in 2014, the camera was promoted with the slogan “Hold ligt in your hands.” This refers to the camera being especially compact and lightweight (“fitting into the palm of the hand”), as well as to the camera’s LED body illumination whose purpose is to display the camera status: The main switch is illuminated in green for still images, and red for movies. 5 LEDs in a line integrated into the grip display face detection, remote control, and the self-timer countdown. For the mode dial, which is for the first time placed on the back of the camera, the currently set mode appears in green, and the OK button is lit in blue, when shutter release is available. Some questioned the sense of this illumination concept, however, the illumination can be switched off partially or altogether.

While the K-S1 features no front wheel, no weather sealings and uses more plastic parts than other Pentax DSLRs, it inherited some higher-class features from the K-3, namely the 95% magnification, 100% coverage pentaprism viewfinder, and an AA-filter-free design maximizing the resolution from the 20 MP CMOS image sensor. Like the K-3, the K-S1 is also equipped with AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator function which reduces moiré thanks to tiny movements of the sensor.

The K-S1 is compatible with the 16 GB O-FC1 flucard for Pentax, making it possible to check the Live View image, shoot remotely, and view images from a smartphone or tablet. Also, Eye-Fi cards can be used for transferring and viewing images wirelessly. Further, the K-S1 is compatible with the optional O-GPS1 clip-on GPS unit for recording location information, or for using the SR unit to track celestial bodies (Astrotracer).

Product Variations
Exact Name K-S1 K-S1 K-S1 K-S1 K-S1
Color regular colors regular colors Fabric Collection Night Sky Collection Sweets Collection
Year of Introduction 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014
Catalog Number black: 06412
white: 06447
blue: 06481
black: 06423
white: 06458
blue: 06492
cotton beige: 06567
linen brown: 06568
denim blue: 06569
tweed gray: 06570
sunset orange: 06571
dusk gold: 06572
moon silver: 06573
midnight black: 06574
dawn purple: 06575
lime pie: 06714
strawberry cake: 06717
blue cream soda: 06718
Sold with kit lens
(DAL18-55/3.5-5.6)
yes (black/white) yes (black) yes (black) yes (white)

Technical Specifications

General
Lens Mount “crippled” KAF2
Mount Limitations digital A aperture or metered manual only
AF System (sensitivity) SAFOX IXi+, 11 sensors, 9 cross-sensors (-1 ~ 18 EV)
AF with supersonic lenses yes
Power-Zoom Features
Self-Timer 12 / 2 sec
Mirror Lock-Up yes (with self timer)
Cable Release
Infra-Red Release remote control E, F, O-RC1
Custom Functions 26
Additional Features DOF preview, AF assist lamp
Width x Height x Depth 120 x 92.5 x 69.5 mm
Weight 498 g / 558 g (with SD card  and battery)
Image Sensor
Effective Pixel Count 20,12 megapixel (5472 x 3648 Pixel)
Sensor Type CMOS
Sensor Size 15.7 x 23.7 mm
Focal-Length Multiplication Factor 1.53 x
Image Storage
Data-Storage Formats RAW (DNG, PEF), RAW + JPG, JPG
Storage Media Secure Digital (SD, SDHC, SDXC, Eye-Fi, O-FC1 FLU-card)
Digital Features
Shake Reduction yes (3-axis)
Dust Removal yes
Live View yes
Orientation Sensor yes
Exposure System
Exposure Modes Pgreen, (Hy)P, Sv, Tv, Av, TAv, (Hy)M, SCN(19), Effect(10)
Metering Modes with K and M Lenses center-weighted, spot
Metering Modes with A and newer Lenses 77-segment, center-weighted, spot
Meter Material SPD
Exposure Compensation (Step) +/-5 (1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Exposure Lock yes
Meter Range 0 ~ 22 EV
ISO Range 100 ~ 51200 ASA
Shutter
Construction electronic (vertical)
Material metal
Shutter Speeds 30 ~ 1/6000, B
Mechanical Speeds
Viewfinder
Type Pentaprism
Magnification [Coverage] 0.95x [100%]
Aperture Indication LED
Shutter-Speed Indication LED
Interchangeable Screens yes
Diopter Range -2,5 dpt. to +1,5 dpt.
Screen
Screen Size / type 3″ (7.6 cm) / TFT LCD
Articulated / Touch —  /  —
Resolution 921000 dots
Shoulder LCD
Power Source
Batteries 1 x Lithium-Ion D-LI109 rechargeable
External
Continuous Shooting
Continuous Shooting 5.4 frames per second
Flash System
Command Protocol(s)
Features HS, P-TTL
Synchronization Speed(s) 1/180 ~ 30, B
Built-In Flash
Guide Number (GN) 10
Coverage (35mm equivalent) 28
Auto Pop-Up
Red-Eye Reduction yes
AF Assist AF assist lamp
Videography
Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Format MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Microphone / Speaker Stereo / Mono
Connectivity
USB / HDMI 2.0 (Micro B)  /  yes
Microphone /Headphone ports —  /  —
Wireless Eye-Fi connected