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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-1
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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-S1
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

The following is a comprehensive assessment of the Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-S2, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both of them are designed by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the K-1 II (36MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the K-1 II (Full frame) and K-S2 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizing.

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The K-1 II was launched 3 years after the K-S2 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the K-1 II matches up versus the K-S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Pentax K-S2

 K-1 II K-S2 
IntroducedFebruary 2018February 2015Newer by 37 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Pentax K-1 II

 K-S2 K-1 II 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-S2

 K-1 II K-S2 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-1 II offers outside measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions 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-1 II and Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the K-1 II compared to the K-S2.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-1 II and K-S2 is 55 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The image underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-1 II and K-S2.

As you have seen, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The K-1 II due to its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Pentax K-1 II will render greater detail utilizing its extra 16MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more modern K-1 II provides a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-1 II as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Portrait photography camera
86
has manual focus
excellent megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
78
manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Street photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Street photography factors
70
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
good high ISO (819,200)
more heavy than others (1,010 grams)
72
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than others in class (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-1 II
Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
77
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (4.4 fps)
terrible battery (670 per charge)
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second low (5.4 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Travel photography features
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography features
53
environment sealing
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
more heavy than others (1,010g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proof
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
more heavy than others in class (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography advice
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
no low pass filter
good high ISO (819,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (670 CIPA)
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-1 II Vlogging advice
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging advice
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than others (1,010g)
71
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone socket
more heavy than others in class (678 grams)
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Pentax K-1 II vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-1 II and Pentax K-S2
 Pentax K-1 Mark IIPentax K-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-1 Mark II Pentax K-S2
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2018-02-22 2015-02-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip PRIME IV PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 7360 x 4912 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 819200 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 33 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF4 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.4 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1010 grams (2.23 pounds) 678 grams (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") 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 670 images 410 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI90 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 2 Single
Price at release $1,737 $581