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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q

Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

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
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Superseded the Pentax K-S1
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Launched June 2011
  • Updated by Pentax Q10
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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q Overview

The following is a detailed assessment of the Pentax K-S2 versus Pentax Q, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are offered by Pentax. There is a huge difference between the resolutions of the K-S2 (20MP) and Q (12MP) and the K-S2 (APS-C) and Q (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizing.

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The K-S2 was brought out 3 years after the Q which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the K-S2 grades against the Q when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Pentax Q

 K-S2 Q 
LaunchedFebruary 2015June 2011Newer by 45 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax K-S2

 Q K-S2 

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Pentax Q

 K-S2 Q 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-S2 provides outside measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has specifications of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-S2 versus Pentax Q in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-S2 versus the Q.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K-S2 and Q is 64 and 93 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at specifications. The picture underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-S2 and Q.

To sum up, both of those cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-S2 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax K-S2 will resolve more detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher K-S2 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography features
Pentax Q Portrait photography features
78
you can focus manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
45
has manual focus
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
supports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q as a Street photography camera
72
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than others (678g)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than others (180 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Sports photography information
Pentax Q Sports photography information
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
low battery pack (410 shots)
31
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (230 shots)
has no phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
Travel photography with Pentax Q
65
weather proof
MP count good (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (410 per charge)
heavier than others (678g)
57
lighter than others (180g)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery pack (230 shots)
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q as a Landscape photography camera
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
low battery pack (410 per charge)
51
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (230 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Vlogging information
Pentax Q Vlogging information
71
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic socket
heavier than others (678g)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (180g)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have external mic jack
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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Pentax Q
 Pentax K-S2Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-S2 Pentax Q
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2015-02-10 2011-06-23
Body design Compact SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME MII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 51200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax Q
Number of lenses 151 8
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.4 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 678 gr (1.49 pounds) 180 gr (0.40 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 410 photos 230 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $581 $695