Canon SX60 vs Pentax K-S2

Cameras
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Canon SX60 vs Pentax K-S2

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
16.1 megapixels
21.00mm - 1365.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon SX60 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the SX60.

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

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-S2 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-S2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-S2.
Compare Pentax K-S2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-S2 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Canon SX70
Compare SX60 vs SX70
Compare Canon SX70 vs Pentax K-S2

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Differences

Canon SX60 advantages over Pentax K-S2

Higher-res screen
307k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Faster JPEG shooting
6.6 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Canon SX60

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 1.34 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

410 vs 340 shots
Capture more photos
Thinner
64 mm vs 114 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.40 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
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 shutter
1/6000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 6400 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
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
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
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
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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

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

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Read SX60 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

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Canon SX60 HS

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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)
Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (White)

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Canon SX60, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Canon SX60 Shooter's Report

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

Canon SX60

Pentax K-500

$449
1/2.3 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX60 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 Nikon P600

Canon SX60

Nikon P600

$449
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
RAW file ability

$345
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon SX60 vs Nikon P600

Pentax K-S2

Nikon P600

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$345
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon P600

Compared to Sony H400

Canon SX60

Sony H400

$449
1/2.3 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$260
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Canon SX60 vs Sony H400

Pentax K-S2

Sony H400

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$260
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Sony H400

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Canon SX60

Pentax K-S1

$449
1/2.3 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

$502
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SX60 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 Nikon P610

Canon SX60

Nikon P610

$449
1/2.3 inch

Slower slow-motion
RAW file ability

$399
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Built-in GPS

Compare Canon SX60 vs Nikon P610

Pentax K-S2

Nikon P610

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$399
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon P610

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