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Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
69
Imaging
65
Features
72
Overall
67
Nikon D3300 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Nikon D3300
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 430g - 124 x 98 x 76mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Succeeded the Nikon D3200
  • Updated by Nikon D3400
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-S1
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Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Nikon D3300 versus Pentax K-S2, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D3300 (24MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is very well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The D3300 was manufactured 9 months prior to the K-S2 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the D3300 grades vs the K-S2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D3300 over the Pentax K-S2

 D3300 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon D3300

 K-S2 D3300 
IntroducedFebruary 2015April 2014More recent by 9 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D3300 and Pentax K-S2

 D3300 K-S2 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution921k921kThe same display resolution
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon D3300 enjoys external dimensions of 124mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 430 grams (0.95 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has sizing of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D3300 versus Pentax K-S2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the D3300 versus the K-S2.

Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D3300 and K-S2 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the difference between sensor measurements simply by looking at specifications. The graphic here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D3300 and K-S2.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You can expect to see the Nikon D3300 to resolve more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The older D3300 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3300 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography advice
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
78
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D3300
Street photography with Pentax K-S2
64
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (430g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
72
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competitors (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D3300 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Sports photography camera
68
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
better than average battery pack (700 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D3300 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
67
better than average battery pack (700 per charge)
lighter than average in class (430g)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
does not posses selfie friendly display
65
environment sealing
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D3300 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography information
72
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (700 shots)
no image stabilization
missing Timelapse function
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3300 Vlogging information
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging information
33
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone support
lighter than average in class (430g)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
71
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (678 grams)
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Nikon D3300 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3300 and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon D3300Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D3300 Pentax K-S2
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-04-21 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 4 PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD (160 degree viewing angle) -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto slow sync, Auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, Auto with red-eye reduction, Fill-flash, Off, Rear-curtain sync, Rear-curtain with slow sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p fps), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 430g (0.95 lbs) 678g (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 98 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1385 not tested
Other
Battery life 700 pictures 410 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14a D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs (1-9 exposures)) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $500 $581