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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-3
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Panasonic S2 versus Pentax K-3 II, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the S2 (14MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the S2 (1/2.3") and K-3 II (APS-C) posses different sensor measurements.

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The S2 was introduced 4 years earlier than the K-3 II and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the S2 matches up against the K-3 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax K-3 II

 S2 K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic S2

 K-3 II S2 
ReleasedApril 2015January 2012Fresher by 40 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-3 II

 S2 K-3 II 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and size. The Panasonic S2 has exterior dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S2 versus Pentax K-3 II in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the S2 compared to the K-3 II.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the S2 and K-3 II is 96 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by checking specifications. The visual below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the S2 and K-3 II.

To sum up, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S2 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-3 II will give you more detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older S2 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S2
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
33
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
79
you can focus manually
MP count good (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S2
Street photography with Pentax K-3 II
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (112g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S2
Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
39
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good battery life (280 per charge)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
not so great battery (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Travel photography camera
70
good battery life (280 shots)
lighter than others in class (112 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
56
weather proof
MP count good (24 megapixels)
not so great battery (720 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
41
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good battery life (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
not so great battery (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
32
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than others in class (112 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax K-3 II
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-01-09 2015-04-23
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 8.3 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112 grams (0.25 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1106
Other
Battery life 280 images 720 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 2
Retail pricing $109 $829