• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon ELPH 100 HS advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Thinner
    19 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Canon ELPH 100 HS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.49 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 fps vs 3.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/1500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

Buy From

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Buy the Pentax K-S2

Review Excerpt

  • Small, smooth, and easily pocketable; Smart Auto makes scene choices for you; Big 3-inch LCD; Good 11x14-inch prints from ISO 100 to 800; Night Scene mode; Full HD video.

  • Buttons could be small for some; Default color can seem muted; Function menu is less friendly than old design; Only digital zoom available in Movie mode.

  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Canon SD1300 IS

Canon ELPH 100 HS
Canon SD1300 IS
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
Pentax K-S2
Canon SD1300 IS
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Sony DSC-W560

Canon ELPH 100 HS
Sony DSC-W560
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • HDMI out
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
Pentax K-S2
Sony DSC-W560
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $121
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compared to Canon A2200

Canon ELPH 100 HS
Canon A2200
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • HDMI out
  • $129
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Pentax K-S2
Canon A2200
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $129
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax K-500

Canon ELPH 100 HS
Pentax K-500
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Canon ELPH 100 HS
Pentax K-S1
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
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