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Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
61
Imaging
77
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon Z6 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Nikon Z6 II
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 705g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed October 2020
  • Superseded the Nikon Z6
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
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-S1
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Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Nikon Z6 II and Pentax K-S2, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the Z6 II (25MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the Z6 II (Full frame) and K-S2 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The Z6 II was unveiled 5 years later than the K-S2 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z6 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the Z6 II grades versus the K-S2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z6 II over the Pentax K-S2

 Z6 II K-S2 
RevealedOctober 2020February 2015More recent by 70 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k921kSharper screen (+1179k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Nikon Z6 II

 K-S2 Z6 II 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Nikon Z6 II and Pentax K-S2

 Z6 II K-S2 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z6 II provides outer dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 705 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z6 II and Pentax K-S2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the Z6 II versus the K-S2.

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the Z6 II and K-S2 is 61 and 64 respectively.

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The graphic underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z6 II and K-S2.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The Z6 II having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Nikon Z6 II will provide extra detail having an extra 5 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern Z6 II is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Portrait photography information
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography information
86
has manual focus
megapixel count fantastic (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
78
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Street photography features
Pentax K-S2 Street photography features
78
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
72
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than average (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography highlights
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
70
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
bad battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography highlights
66
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count fantastic (25 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery power (410 shots)
more heavy than average (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography highlights
82
has manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count fantastic (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
bad battery power (410 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z6 II Vlogging information
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging information
36
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone jack
more heavy than average (678 grams)
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Nikon Z6 II vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z6 II and Pentax K-S2
 Nikon Z6 Mark IIPentax K-S2
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Z6 Mark II Pentax K-S2
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2020-10-14 2015-02-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME MII
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 6048 x 4024 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Lowest boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 273 11
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3.2 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 2,100 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,690 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.8x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 14.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 120p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 100p / 144 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 50p / 56 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 25p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 705 grams (1.55 lbs) 678 grams (1.49 lbs)
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 410 shots 410 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media CFexpress Type B / XQD SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two 1
Price at launch $1,997 $581