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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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
  • Launched January 2012
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-5 IIs, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is very close but the S2 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The S2 was unveiled 17 months before the K-5 IIs making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the S2 scores against the K-5 IIs in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 S2 K-5 IIs 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Panasonic S2

 K-5 IIs S2 
LaunchedJune 2013January 2012More recent by 17 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-5 IIs

 S2 K-5 IIs 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S2 offers external dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") along with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-5 IIs in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the S2 compared to the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S2 and K-5 IIs is 96 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing specifications. The photograph underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the S2 and K-5 IIs.

Plainly, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The S2 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-5 IIs will render extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The older S2 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
33
good megapixels (14MP)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography factors
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (112g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Sports photography camera
39
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
great battery (280 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Travel photography camera
70
great battery (280 shots)
lighter than average (112 grams)
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
65
environment proofing
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography highlights
41
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
great battery (280 shots)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S2
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 IIs
32
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than average (112 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic socket
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone support
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax K-5 IIs
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-01-09 2013-06-04
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112 grams (0.25 lb) 760 grams (1.68 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1208
Other
Battery life 280 shots 980 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $109 $749