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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Introduced October 2019
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
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Superseded the Pentax K-S1
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Nikon and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is very comparable and they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The Z50 was launched 4 years after the K-S2 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the Z50 grades vs the K-S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax K-S2

 Z50 K-S2 
RevealedOctober 2019February 2015More modern by 57 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k921kSharper display (+119k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon Z50

 K-S2 Z50 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax K-S2

 Z50 K-S2 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon Z50 features exterior dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") accompanied by a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Pentax K-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the Z50 versus the K-S2.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and K-S2 is 74 and 64 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes just by checking out a spec sheet. The picture underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and K-S2.

Clearly, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You should expect to see the Nikon Z50 to produce greater detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively. The newer Z50 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography factors
80
you can focus manually
good resolution (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
78
manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography details
Pentax K-S2 Street photography details
73
has a tilting screen
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
offers touch focus
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (397g)
72
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
75
good resolution (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
no image stabilization
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (5.4 frames/s)
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography information
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography information
77
weather proof
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
good resolution (21MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
heavier than average in class (397 grams)
65
weather sealing
decent MP (20MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery life (410 per charge)
heavier than competition (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Landscape photography camera
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
good resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no image stabilization
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
bad battery life (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging details
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging details
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic port
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (397g)
71
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic port
heavier than competition (678 grams)
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon Z50Pentax K-S2
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Z50 Pentax K-S2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2019-10-10 2015-02-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 6 PRIME MII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 5568 x 3712 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 51200 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 209 11
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings - Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 gr (0.88 lb) 678 gr (1.49 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 410 photographs
Battery form Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 D-LI109
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $857 $581