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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Old Model is Pentax K-7
  • New Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-S1
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Following is a thorough analysis of the Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR and both are produced by Pentax. The resolution of the K-5 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is fairly well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-5 was revealed 5 years earlier than the K-S2 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the K-5 grades against the K-S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax K-S2

 K-5 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Pentax K-5

 K-S2 K-5 
ReleasedFebruary 2015December 2010More modern by 50 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Pentax K-S2

 K-5 K-S2 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Display resolution921k921kEqual display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-5 has physical dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the K-5 compared to the K-S2.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 and K-S2 is 60 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading through specs. The image below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-5 and K-S2.

All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax K-S2 to give extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged K-5 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
78
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography features
Pentax K-S2 Street photography features
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
fixed screen
72
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than average (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 Sports photography info
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography info
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (5.4 frames per second)
terrible battery power (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
65
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
does not contain selfie friendly display
65
environment proofing
good megapixels (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
heavier than average (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography features
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
terrible battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
71
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic jack
heavier than average (678g)
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Pentax K-S2
 Pentax K-5Pentax K-S2
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-5 Pentax K-S2
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-12-18 2015-02-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime II 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 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Max boosted ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless 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
Highest flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 740 gr (1.63 lb) 678 gr (1.49 lb)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 1162 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 photos 410 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $800 $581