• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony A77 II advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    15 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 viewfinder magnification
    0.73x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • More AF points
    79 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.5 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    28 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Sony A77 II

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $499 vs $1798
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lighter weight
    859g vs 1351g
    Lighter weight
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Pentax K-S2
Body Only (White)
  • Body Only (White)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black/Orange)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black/Orange)
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Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality, especially lower ISOs; Improved high ISO performance when using RAW; Very good dynamic range; High-resolution images; Very fast single-shot autofocus; 12fps burst mode with C-AF; Good value for its class.

  • Lackluster continuous AF performance; Strong NR processing in high ISO JPEGs; Sluggish buffer clearing; Short battery life compared to most DSLRs; Joystick control easy to press accidentally.

  • Read our Sony A77 II Review

  • 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

Sony A77 II
Pentax K-500
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A77 II vs 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

Compared to Canon 70D

Sony A77 II
Canon 70D
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 70D

Pentax K-S2
Canon 70D
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon 70D

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Sony A77 II
Pentax K-S1
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Lighter weight

Compare Sony A77 II vs 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

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Sony A77 II
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony A77 II vs Canon 7D Mark II

Pentax K-S2
Canon 7D Mark II
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1647
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D7200

Sony A77 II
Nikon D7200
  • $1198
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compare Sony A77 II vs Nikon D7200

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D7200
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D7200

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