Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-S2
76 Imaging
57 Features
68 Overall
61


64 Imaging
63 Features
82 Overall
70
Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
- Launched May 2012
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- 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
- Revealed February 2015
- Succeeded the Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview
Its time to look much closer at the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-S2, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are built by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-01 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is fairly close and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

The K-01 was introduced 3 years before the K-S2 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the K-01 scores versus the K-S2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-S2 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-S2. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax K-01 Gallery and Pentax K-S2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Pentax K-S2
K-01 | K-S2 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Pentax K-01
K-S2 | K-01 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | February 2015 | ![]() | May 2012 | Newer by 32 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-S2
K-01 | K-S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display measurements |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 921k | Equal display resolution |
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-01 has outer measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) and the Pentax K-S2 has sizing of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).
See the Pentax K-01 and Pentax K-S2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the K-01 compared to the K-S2.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-01 and K-S2 is 76 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is very tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching technical specs. The pic below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-01 and K-S2.
As you have seen, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax K-S2 to result in extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged K-01 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications
Pentax K-01 | Pentax K-S2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Pentax |
Model type | Pentax K-01 | Pentax K-S2 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2012-05-30 | 2015-02-10 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | PRIME MII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.7 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 372.1mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 20MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 4928 x 3264 | 5472 x 3648 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 51200 |
Maximum boosted ISO | 25600 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 151 | 151 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 921 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD monitor | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/6000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 6.0fps | 5.4fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/180 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 561 gr (1.24 pounds) | 678 gr (1.49 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") | 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 79 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.7 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.9 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 1135 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 540 photographs | 410 photographs |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | D-LI90 | D-LI109 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 secs) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at launch | $899 | $581 |