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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Revealed December 2009
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-x Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-x, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the K-x (12MP) is very well matched but the S2 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The S2 was released 2 years later than the K-x and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the S2 scores against the K-x in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax K-x

 S2 K-x 
RevealedJanuary 2012December 2009Fresher by 25 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic S2

 K-x S2 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-x

 S2 K-x 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurements
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S2 provides exterior measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-x in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the S2 against the K-x.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S2 and K-x is 96 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S2 and K-x.

To sum up, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The S2 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Panasonic S2 will give you greater detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern S2 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-x Portrait photography factors
33
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-x Street photography highlights
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (112 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 Sports photography features
Pentax K-x Sports photography features
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
better than average battery pack (280 shots)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery power (1,900 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography info
Pentax K-x Travel photography info
70
better than average battery pack (280 CIPA)
lighter than average (112g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
54
great battery power (1,900 shots)
has built in flash
no Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-x Landscape photography details
41
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
better than average battery pack (280 shots)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (1,900 per charge)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S2
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
32
really wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
lighter than average (112g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
27
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax K-x
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax K-x
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-01-09 2009-12-23
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 16.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 112 grams (0.25 lb) 580 grams (1.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 811
Other
Battery life 280 photographs 1900 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $109 $600