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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released July 2020
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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-S1
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Nikon and Pentax. The image resolution of the Z5 (24MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the Z5 (Full frame) and K-S2 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Z5 was unveiled 5 years later than the K-S2 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a brief summary of how the Z5 scores against the K-S2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Pentax K-S2

 Z5 K-S2 
RevealedJuly 2020February 2015More recent by 67 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k921kClearer screen (+119k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon Z5

 K-S2 Z5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-S2

 Z5 K-S2 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon Z5 has got physical measurements of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 675 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Contrast the Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the Z5 vs the K-S2.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z5 and K-S2 is 62 and 64 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the Z5 and K-S2.

As you can see, the 2 cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The Z5 with its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon Z5 will show extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more recent Z5 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
85
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
78
focusing manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW files
boasts focus by touch
environment sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than others in class (675 grams)
72
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competitors in class (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography features
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography features
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery (470 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.5 fps)
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
slow frames per second (5.4 frames per second)
terrible battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography advice
68
good battery (470 CIPA)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
boasts focus by touch
resolution is good (24MP)
more heavy than others in class (675 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
decent MP (20MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
heavier than competitors in class (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Landscape photography camera
86
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
good battery (470 CIPA)
2 card slots
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
terrible battery (410 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
34
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (675 grams)
71
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (678 grams)
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Nikon Z5 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon Z5Pentax K-S2
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z5 Pentax K-S2
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2020-07-20 2015-02-10
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 6 PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4016 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 102400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 273 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.5 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/200 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 675 grams (1.49 pounds) 678 grams (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" 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 470 images 410 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL15c D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual 1
Price at launch $1,399 $581