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Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
66
Imaging
57
Features
81
Overall
66
Nikon D5100 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Nikon D5100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 560g - 128 x 97 x 79mm
  • Announced April 2011
  • Succeeded the Nikon D5000
  • Replacement is Nikon D5200
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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
  • Launched February 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-S1
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Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Nikon D5100 versus Pentax K-S2, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D5100 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D5100 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the K-S2 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a short introduction of how the D5100 scores vs the K-S2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5100 over the Pentax K-S2

 D5100 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon D5100

 K-S2 D5100 
LaunchedFebruary 2015April 2011Fresher by 46 months

Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Pentax K-S2

 D5100 K-S2 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Nikon D5100 offers physical measurements of 128mm x 97mm x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") and a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") having a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D5100 versus Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the D5100 vs the K-S2.

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D5100 and K-S2 is 66 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by going over specifications. The photograph below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the D5100 and K-S2.

To sum up, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Pentax K-S2 to offer you more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The older D5100 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5100 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography details
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
78
you can focus manually
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5100 Street photography info
Pentax K-S2 Street photography info
67
screen can move to multiple angles
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than average (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D5100
Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
64
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
good battery pack (660 shots)
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
70
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D5100
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
77
good battery pack (660 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
MP count good (20MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
bad battery power (410 shots)
heavier than average (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5100
Landscape photography with Pentax K-S2
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (660 shots)
lack of image stabilization
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
bad battery power (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D5100
Vlogging with Pentax K-S2
69
screen is selfie friendly
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
lack of image stabilization
71
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic socket
heavier than average (678 grams)
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Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5100 and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon D5100Pentax K-S2
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D5100 Pentax K-S2
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-04-26 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 2 PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 370.5mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 1 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/200s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560g (1.23 pounds) 678g (1.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 128 x 97 x 79mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.1") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1183 not tested
Other
Battery life 660 pictures 410 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $0 $581