Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2
66 Imaging
55 Features
81 Overall
65
64 Imaging
63 Features
82 Overall
70
Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs
(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
(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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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).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe 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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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon D5100 & Pentax K-S2. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon D5100 Gallery & Pentax K-S2 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | February 2015 | April 2011 | Fresher by 46 months |
Common features in the Nikon D5100 and Pentax K-S2
| D5100 | K-S2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Dial accurate focusing | |||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated screen | |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" | Same screen dimensions | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 921k | The 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.
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.

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 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.
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Nikon D5100 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications
| Nikon D5100 | Pentax 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 |