Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon Z50

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon Z50

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.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z50 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the Z50.

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Nikon Z50

Less expensive
$499 vs $997
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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 320 shots
Capture more photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z50 advantages over Pentax K-S2

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Newer
4 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
533g vs 859g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
346k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
11.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
11.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 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
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
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
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

User reviews

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Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z50 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)
Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (White)

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z50

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm and 50-250mm Lenses
Kit with 16-50mm Lens

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Nikon Z50, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon Z50 Shooter's Report

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

Nikon Z50

Pentax K-500

$857
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$597
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Z50 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

Nikon Z50

Pentax K-S1

$857
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$502
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

Compare Nikon Z50 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

Nikon Z50

Nikon D5500

$857
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Canon EOS M50

Pentax K-S2

Canon EOS M50

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$579
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon EOS M50

Nikon Z50

Canon EOS M50

$857
APS-C

Larger sensor
Longer stills battery life

$579
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Canon EOS M50

Compared to Fujifilm X-S10

Pentax K-S2

Fujifilm X-S10

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$949
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Fujifilm X-S10

Nikon Z50

Fujifilm X-S10

$857
APS-C

Less expensive
Wider angle kit lens

$949
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon Z50 vs Fujifilm X-S10

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