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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Introduced January 2013
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the XS1 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The XS1 was announced 3 years before the K-S2 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a quick overview of how the XS1 scores versus the K-S2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Pentax K-S2

 XS1 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic XS1

 K-S2 XS1 
ReleasedFebruary 2015January 2013More recent by 25 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax K-S2

 XS1 K-S2 
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic XS1 offers outer dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) and the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the XS1 vs the K-S2.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XS1 and K-S2 is 97 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements simply by checking technical specs. The visual here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the XS1 and K-S2.

As you have seen, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The XS1 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-S2 will give you more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older XS1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic XS1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
78
focusing manually
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (103g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography factors
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.4 frames/s)
low battery life (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Travel photography info
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography info
69
lighter than competition in class (103g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
weather proof
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
low battery life (410 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography features
39
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse recording
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
low battery life (410 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
31
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (103g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
71
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic port
heavier than competition in class (678g)
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Pentax K-S2
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2015-02-10
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - PRIME MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 103 grams (0.23 lbs) 678 grams (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 photos 410 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $130 $581