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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-S2
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
  • Announced February 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-S1
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Pentax K-S1 versus Pentax K-S2, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR and they are both designed by Pentax. The image resolution of the K-S1 (20MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is pretty similar and they use the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-S1 was brought out 5 months prior to the K-S2 and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the K-S1 grades against the K-S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax K-S2

 K-S1 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Pentax K-S1

 K-S2 K-S1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax K-S2

 K-S1 K-S2 
AnnouncedAugust 2014February 2015Similar age
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-S1 offers exterior measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has proportions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

See the Pentax K-S1 versus Pentax K-S2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the K-S1 compared to the K-S2.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-S1 and K-S2 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-S1 and K-S2.

Clearly, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution and you can expect similar quality of pictures however you should always factor the launch date of the products into consideration.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography information
78
manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
78
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Street photography highlights
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
great ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
72
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition in class (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Sports photography features
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography features
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 shots)
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
low fps (5.4 fps)
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography factors
60
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
terrible battery (410 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
bad battery (410 per charge)
heavier than competition in class (678 grams)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-S1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-S2
73
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
71
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic port
heavier than competition in class (678 grams)
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax K-S2
 Pentax K-S1Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S1 Pentax K-S2
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-08-27 2015-02-10
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime MII 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 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.4 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 558 gr (1.23 lbs) 678 gr (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1061 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 images 410 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 D-LI109
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $339 $581