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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-r 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-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-r Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-r, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the K-r (12MP) is fairly close but the S2 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The S2 was manufactured 11 months later than the K-r which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the S2 grades against the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax K-r

 S2 K-r 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012March 2011More recent by 11 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic S2

 K-r S2 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-r

 S2 K-r 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S2 offers external measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-r in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the S2 versus the K-r.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S2 and K-r is 96 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements only by looking through specs. The visual here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the S2 and K-r.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The S2 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic S2 will result in greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more recent S2 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-r Portrait photography advice
33
megapixel count decent (14MP)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography features
Pentax K-r Street photography features
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (112 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-r Sports photography factors
39
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography features
Pentax K-r Travel photography features
70
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
lighter than competitors (112 grams)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
47
built-in flash
bad battery (470 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-r Landscape photography highlights
41
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
better than average battery pack (280 per charge)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging information
Pentax K-r Vlogging information
32
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (112 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone socket
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax K-r
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax K-r
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-01-09 2011-03-11
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum 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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 112g (0.25 lb) 598g (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life 280 pictures 470 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $109 $1,100