Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-S2
72 Imaging
68 Features
70 Overall
68


64 Imaging
63 Features
82 Overall
70
Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 25600
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon F Mount
- 365g - 124 x 97 x 70mm
- Launched August 2018
- Succeeded the Nikon D3400
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
- Revealed February 2015
- Older Model is Pentax K-S1

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview
Lets take a closer look at the Nikon D3500 versus Pentax K-S2, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the D3500 (24MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

The D3500 was manufactured 3 years later than the K-S2 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).
Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise summation of how the D3500 scores vs the K-S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-S2 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-S2. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon D3500 Gallery and Pentax K-S2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D3500 over the Pentax K-S2
D3500 | K-S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2018 | ![]() | February 2015 | Fresher by 44 months |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon D3500
K-S2 | D3500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D3500 and Pentax K-S2
D3500 | K-S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen measurement |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Exact same screen resolution |
Touch screen | ![]() | Lack of Touch screen |
Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to carry your camera, you will have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D3500 comes with outer measurements of 124mm x 97mm x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 365 grams (0.80 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has sizing of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon D3500 versus Pentax K-S2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Following is a front view over all size comparison of the D3500 and the K-S2.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3500 and K-S2 is 72 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it's hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing simply by going through specifications. The photograph here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the D3500 and K-S2.
To sum up, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Nikon D3500 to produce greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The fresher D3500 provides a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3500 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications
Nikon D3500 | Pentax K-S2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Pentax |
Model type | Nikon D3500 | Pentax K-S2 |
Type | Entry-Level DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2018-08-29 | 2015-02-10 |
Body design | Compact SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Expeed 4 | PRIME MII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.6mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 366.6mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 6000 x 4000 | 5472 x 3648 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon F | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 309 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.56x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0fps | 5.4fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | 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 |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 365 gr (0.80 lb) | 678 gr (1.49 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 124 x 97 x 70mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.8") | 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 1550 images | 410 images |
Form of battery | 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 media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $397 | $581 |