• 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 A6000 advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    468g vs 859g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    307k 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
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    47 vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    11.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    22 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Sony A6000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $499 vs $648
    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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-S2

Review Excerpt

  • Amazing image quality for the price; Blazing-fast hybrid autofocus; Swift burst shooting with generous buffer depths; Good battery life with LCD monitor; More compact than a DSLR; In-camera Wi-Fi wireless networking

  • Continuous autofocus can't match its burst rate; High-ISO JPEGs can look overprocessed; Sluggish startup; No touch-screen display; Wi-Fi can be a bit frustrating to use

  • 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 Pentax K-500

Sony A6000
Pentax K-500
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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 Samsung NX3000

Sony A6000
Samsung NX3000
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • Slow-motion videos
Pentax K-S2
Samsung NX3000
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $950
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Sony A6000
Pentax K-S1
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Sony A6300

Sony A6000
Sony A6300
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $848
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-S2
Sony A6300
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $848
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Fujifilm X-A3

Sony A6000
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $648
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • NFC
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Pentax K-S2
Fujifilm X-A3
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Compare Other Cameras?