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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
65
Imaging
42
Features
38
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic L1
(Full Review)
  • 7MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 606g - 146 x 87 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2007
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
  • Older Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the L1 (7MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the L1 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The L1 was brought out 8 years before the K-S2 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic L1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the L1 scores vs the K-S2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic L1 over the Pentax K-S2

 L1 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic L1

 K-S2 L1 
RevealedFebruary 2015April 2007Fresher by 95 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k207kSharper screen (+714k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-S2

 L1 K-S2 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic L1 enjoys physical dimensions of 146mm x 87mm x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") with a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the L1 compared to the K-S2.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the L1 and K-S2 is 65 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading technical specs. The photograph here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the L1 and K-S2.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The L1 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-S2 will offer you greater detail having its extra 13 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs more aggressively. The older L1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic L1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
55
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (7MP)
78
manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic L1 Street photography information
Pentax K-S2 Street photography information
58
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (606g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic L1 Sports photography information
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography information
41
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (7 megapixels)
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.4 frames/s)
low battery life (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic L1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography factors
50
lighter than competition (606 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (7 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
65
weather sealing
decent MP (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
low battery life (410 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic L1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-S2
48
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (7 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
low battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic L1
Vlogging with Pentax K-S2
9
can't shoot video
71
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic socket
heavier than competition in class (678g)
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Panasonic L1 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic L1 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1Pentax K-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 Pentax K-S2
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2007-04-11 2015-02-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 7MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 3136 x 2352 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 207k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Red-Eye Auto, On, Red-Eye On, Red-Eye Slow Sync, Off, Slow Sync (1&2) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 606 grams (1.34 pounds) 678 grams (1.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 146 x 87 x 77mm (5.7" x 3.4" x 3.0") 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 - 410 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $1,500 $581