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Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
68
Imaging
66
Features
81
Overall
72
Nikon D5300 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Nikon D5300
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 480g - 125 x 98 x 76mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Older Model is Nikon D5200
  • Renewed by Nikon D5500
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
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-S1
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Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Following is a comprehensive analysis of the Nikon D5300 versus Pentax K-S2, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. The resolution of the D5300 (24MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras boast the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The D5300 was manufactured 12 months before the K-S2 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the D5300 scores versus the K-S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D5300 over the Pentax K-S2

 D5300 K-S2 
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kCrisper screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon D5300

 K-S2 D5300 
IntroducedFebruary 2015February 2014More modern by 12 months

Common features in the Nikon D5300 and Pentax K-S2

 D5300 K-S2 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Nikon D5300 has got physical measurements of 125mm x 98mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 480 grams (1.06 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon D5300 versus Pentax K-S2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the D5300 vs the K-S2.

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the D5300 and K-S2 is 68 and 64 respectively.

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes only by reading through specifications. The image below might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D5300 and K-S2.

Plainly, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Nikon D5300 to resolve greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged D5300 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D5300 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography information
79
focusing manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
78
manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D5300 Street photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Street photography advice
70
screen articulates
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
72
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than average in class (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D5300 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Sports photography camera
66
good resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames per second)
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D5300 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography highlights
80
good resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
65
environment proof
resolution is good (20MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
more heavy than average in class (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D5300
Landscape photography with Pentax K-S2
76
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
77
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D5300 Vlogging features
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging features
72
selfie friendly display
includes face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic socket
lack of image stabilization
71
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
more heavy than average in class (678g)
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Nikon D5300 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D5300 and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon D5300Pentax K-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D5300 Pentax K-S2
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-02-12 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
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 24MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 6000 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 39 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,037 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 480g (1.06 lb) 678g (1.49 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 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 83 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1338 not tested
Other
Battery life 600 pictures 410 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $429 $581