Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-500

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-500, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is relatively similar but the S2 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The S2 was released 22 months before the K-500 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the S2 matches up vs the K-500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 and Pentax K-500. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic S2 Gallery and Pentax K-500 Gallery.

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S2 has external measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the S2 and the K-500.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the S2 and K-500 is 96 and 64 respectively.

In many cases, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S2 and K-500.

All in all, both the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The S2 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-500 will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged S2 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.