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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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
  • Released February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-S1
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Below is a complete assessment of the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K-S2, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both manufactured by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-3 (24MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is fairly similar and they possess the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-3 was brought out 10 months before the K-S2 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a concise view of how the K-3 scores against the K-S2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax K-S2

 K-3 K-S2 
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k921kCrisper display (+116k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Pentax K-3

 K-S2 K-3 
ReleasedFebruary 2015April 2014More recent by 10 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-S2

 K-3 K-S2 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-3 comes with outside dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the K-3 and the K-S2.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and K-S2 is 59 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The visual here should offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and K-S2.

As you can tell, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-3 to deliver more detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older K-3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography advice
79
focusing manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
78
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-3
Street photography with Pentax K-S2
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
72
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than average (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography details
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography details
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
low battery life (560 CIPA)
70
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
bad battery power (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
60
environment proof
good resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery life (560 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
65
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
bad battery power (410 per charge)
heavier than average (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography info
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
low battery life (560 CIPA)
77
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging details
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging details
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly display
71
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic socket
heavier than average (678g)
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax K-S2
 Pentax K-3Pentax K-S2
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax K-S2
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-04-10 2015-02-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime III PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 6016 x 4000 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 51200 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 27 11
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3.2" 3"
Screen resolution 1,037k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 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
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 pounds) 678g (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 photos 410 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual One
Cost at launch $639 $581