• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Pentax KP

  • Less expensive
    $499 vs $999*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Pentax KP advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    27 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/24000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Very compact for a weather-sealed DSLR; Good ergonomics and great viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent performance for its class; Articulated screen is great for difficult compositions; Offers features not found in other Pentax DSLRs

  • 18-50mm kit lens is fiddly and prone to jamming when retracted; Wi-Fi is slow and unintuitive; Slow startup; Limited movie mode; Poor battery life for a DSLR; Priced too close to its enthusiast-grade sibling

  • Read our Pentax K-S2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-500

Pentax KP
Pentax K-500
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-500

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-S1

Pentax KP
Pentax K-S1
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • High resolution composite
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D5500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D5500

Pentax KP
Nikon D5500
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Nikon D5600

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D5600
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $1065
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D5600

Pentax KP
Nikon D5600
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1065
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax K-S2
Canon T7i
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon T7i

Pentax KP
Canon T7i
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

Compare Other Cameras?