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Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
66
Imaging
64
Features
77
Overall
69
Nikon D5200 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Nikon D5200
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 555g - 129 x 98 x 78mm
  • Released May 2013
  • Older Model is Nikon D5100
  • New Model is Nikon D5300
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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-S1
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Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Nikon D5200 versus Pentax K-S2, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the D5200 (24MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is very close and both cameras provide the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The D5200 was brought out 21 months before the K-S2 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the D5200 scores against the K-S2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5200 over the Pentax K-S2

 D5200 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon D5200

 K-S2 D5200 
IntroducedFebruary 2015May 2013More modern by 21 months

Common features in the Nikon D5200 and Pentax K-S2

 D5200 K-S2 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions
Display resolution921k921kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon D5200 has outer dimensions of 129mm x 98mm x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") with a weight of 555 grams (1.22 lbs) and the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D5200 versus Pentax K-S2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the D5200 against the K-S2.

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D5200 and K-S2 is 66 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes purely by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the D5200 and K-S2.

As you can tell, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Nikon D5200 to render more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged D5200 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5200 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography highlights
78
you can focus manually
MP count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
78
focusing manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5200 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Street photography highlights
68
fully articulated screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
72
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than average in class (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5200 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Sports photography camera
60
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
supports phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (500 CIPA)
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (5.4 frames/s)
bad battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5200 Travel photography info
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography info
69
MP count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery power (500 CIPA)
65
weather sealing
decent MP (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
more heavy than average in class (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D5200 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography information
69
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
MP count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
not so great battery power (500 CIPA)
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5200 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging factors
71
screen is selfie friendly
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone socket
no image stabilization
71
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (678 grams)
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Nikon D5200 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5200 and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon D5200Pentax K-S2
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D5200 Pentax K-S2
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-05-16 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 3 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 area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 39 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.52x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max 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 (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 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 555g (1.22 lbs) 678g (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 129 x 98 x 78mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 3.1") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 84 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1284 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 410 pictures
Battery type 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 recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $595 $581