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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Launched January 2012
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Superseded the Pentax K10D
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K20D, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the S2 (14MP) and the K20D (15MP) is fairly similar but the S2 (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The S2 was released 3 years later than the K20D and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a thorough comparison, here is a simple summary of how the S2 grades vs the K20D for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax K20D

 S2 K20D 
ReleasedJanuary 2012June 2008Fresher by 44 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic S2

 K20D S2 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K20D

 S2 K20D 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S2 has got 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 K20D has measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic S2 and Pentax K20D in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the S2 against the K20D.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S2 and K20D is 96 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizing merely by reading a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the S2 and K20D.

As you can see, each of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The S2 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K20D will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent S2 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography features
Pentax K20D Portrait photography features
33
megapixel count decent (14MP)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
71
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography advice
Pentax K20D Street photography advice
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (112g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Sports photography camera
39
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
great battery power (280 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography factors
Pentax K20D Travel photography factors
70
great battery power (280 per charge)
lighter than competition (112g)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
flash built-in
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Landscape photography camera
41
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
great battery power (280 shots)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
70
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K20D as a Vlogging camera
32
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition (112 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax K20D
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-01-09 2008-06-25
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of 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 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 112 gr (0.25 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 639
Other
Battery life 280 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Launch cost $109 $700