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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-50
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
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-S1
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-S2, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are manufactured by Pentax. The sensor resolution of the K-30 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is relatively well matched and they use the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-30 was announced 3 years before the K-S2 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summary of how the K-30 matches up versus the K-S2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax K-S2

 K-30 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Pentax K-30

 K-S2 K-30 
RevealedFebruary 2015October 2012More recent by 27 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-S2

 K-30 K-S2 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution921k921kEqual screen resolution
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax K-30 enjoys outside dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") having a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-S2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the K-30 vs the K-S2.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-30 and K-S2 is 63 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements only by looking at specifications. The visual here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-30 and K-S2.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-S2 to give more detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older K-30 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Portrait photography camera
74
focusing manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
78
you can focus manually
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-30
Street photography with Pentax K-S2
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
fixed screen
72
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Sports photography camera
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
low battery life (410 per charge)
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames per second)
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography features
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography features
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery life (410 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
environment proof
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
terrible battery life (410 shots)
more heavy than competition (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-30 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography factors
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
low battery life (410 CIPA)
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging info
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
71
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone socket
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax K-S2
 Pentax K-30Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-30 Pentax K-S2
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-10-29 2015-02-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 9 -
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 sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 gr (1.43 pounds) 678 gr (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1129 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 410 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $525 $581