• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Panasonic FZ300

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    64 mm vs 117 mm
    Thinner
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ300 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.3 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    12.4 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    25 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • 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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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

  • Good image quality for its class; Improved ergonomics; Impressive new EVF and rear display; Versatile 24-600mm equivalent f/2.8 lens; Faster autofocus performance; 4K video and 4K Photo features.

  • Bulky camera body; Excessive default noise reduction applied at lower ISOs; Continuous autofocus performance is inconsistent.

  • Read our Panasonic FZ300 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic FZ200

Pentax K-S2
Panasonic FZ200
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Panasonic FZ200

Panasonic FZ300
Panasonic FZ200
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $890
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Panasonic FZ200

Compared to Fujifilm S8200

Pentax K-S2
Fujifilm S8200
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Fujifilm S8200

Panasonic FZ300
Fujifilm S8200
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Fujifilm S8200

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

Panasonic FZ300
Pentax K-500
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ300 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

Panasonic FZ300
Pentax K-S1
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D5500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D5500

Panasonic FZ300
Nikon D5500
  • $481
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ300 vs Nikon D5500

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