Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q
64 Imaging
63 Features
82 Overall
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93 Imaging
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47 Overall
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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q Key Specs
(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- Superseded the Pentax K-S1
(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

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q: A Deep Dive into Two Unique Entrants from the Same Brand
When Pentax enthusiasts look back over the last decade, two cameras that stand out for their distinctive approaches to entry-level photography are the Pentax K-S2 and the Pentax Q. Launched four years apart, these models represent different philosophies: an APS-C sensor SLR aimed at versatile use versus a compact, mirrorless system with a seriously small sensor but an ultra-portable body. Having spent extensive hands-on time shooting with both, I'm excited to unpack how these cameras stack up against one another across a variety of practical photography disciplines - while drawing on rigorous technical evaluation and user experience insight.
Throughout this comparison, I will integrate crucial specs and real-world observations to inform photographers’ decisions - whether you’re a casual shooter, a budding enthusiast, or a professional considering something fun as a secondary camera. Let’s start by looking at their physical characteristics.
First Impressions: Size, Weight, and Ergonomics Matter
The Pentax K-S2 is a traditional DSLR designed for those craving a fun, manageable body with weather sealing, a rare feature in this price range. In contrast, the Pentax Q is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera that practically disappears in a jacket pocket, albeit with a much smaller sensor and simpler autofocus system.
The size differential is immediately apparent (see above). The K-S2 weighs in at 678 grams with dimensions roughly 123 x 91 x 73 mm, delivering a confident hand feel with solid grip contours and a fully articulating 3-inch screen (921k dots). This articulating display greatly expands shooting flexibility, especially for video and creative angles.
The Pentax Q, by contrast, tips the scales at just 180 grams with a svelte 98 x 57 x 31 mm footprint - making it one of the smallest interchangeable-lens systems ever produced. While this compactness benefits travel and street photography, the tradeoff is a fixed 3-inch LCD with less than half the resolution (460k dots) and no viewfinder at all, which may hamper certain types of shooting, especially under bright conditions.
In the hand, the K-S2 feels like a well-engineered enthusiast DSLR ready for serious work, while the Q is closer to a sophisticated point-and-shoot with lens flexibility. Ergonomically, the K-S2’s dedicated buttons, top LCD (rare in this segment), and pentaprism optical viewfinder offer precise, tactile control, making it far easier for photographers to adjust settings quickly while shooting.
These controls become crucial once you delve into active shooting - the Q’s minimalistic control scheme means menu-dwelling for many adjustments, which can slow down responsiveness.
Sensor and Image Quality: APS-C vs 1/2.3" Challenge
Sensor technology is arguably the most critical factor when comparing two cameras with such diverging lineages. The Pentax K-S2 employs a 20-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (23.5 x 15.6 mm), a format that balances resolution with excellent low-light performance and dynamic range. Notably, it dispenses with an anti-aliasing filter, a decision positively impacting sharpness at the expense of marginal moiré risk.
The Pentax Q, however, uses a much smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor (6.17 x 4.55 mm) with a 12-megapixel resolution, effectively reducing the sensor area to just 28.07 mm² - nearly 7 times smaller than the K-S2’s. This sensor size significantly influences performance, especially in terms of noise, dynamic range, and depth-of-field control.
When tested side-by-side under controlled conditions, the K-S2 outperforms the Q in almost every image quality metric. Its native ISO 100–51200 range offers exceptional flexibility, supported by the PRIME MII processor that sharpens and reduces noise effectively without sacrificing detail. The Q's ISO ceiling of 6400 - combined with its smaller pixels - results in notable noise at higher sensitivities, limiting its usefulness in low-light scenarios.
Color depth and dynamic range both favor the K-S2, stemming from the physically larger sensor collecting more light and retaining better tonal gradation, especially in shadows and highlights. Though the Q boasts respectable color depth for its sensor class, it's clearly a camera better suited for daylight and well-lit scenes.
User Experience: LCD Screens, Viewfinders, and Interface
Beyond image quality, the practical aspects of framing and reviewing photos dominate workflow speed and enjoyment. The K-S2 offers an optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and decent 0.64x magnification - a photographer’s dream for precise composition and tracking moving subjects.
The Pentax Q lacks any viewfinder, relying exclusively on its fixed 3-inch TFT LCD (460k dots). This means shooting outdoors under sunlight can be challenging due to glare and lower brightness, a potential annoyance during travel and street photography.
The articulated screen on the K-S2, meanwhile, can fold out and rotate 180 degrees horizontally and vertically, granting immense versatility for overhead shots, low-angle perspectives, and even self-portraits - though note, the K-S2 is not a touchscreen.
Interface-wise, the K-S2’s physical buttons and dials are backlit, ergonomic, and logically placed, a testament to Pentax’s focus on intuitive control. The Q’s minimalist control layout and reliance on on-screen menus reduce shooting spontaneity and can frustrate more advanced users.
Autofocus, Burst Shooting, and General Performance
Autofocus systems greatly affect how usable a camera is across genres - especially sports, wildlife, and fast-paced street photography.
The Pentax K-S2 utilizes a hybrid AF system combining 11 phase-detection points (including cross-type sensors, though exact cross-point count isn’t officially stated) with contrast detection for live view. This hybrid approach ensures relatively fast and accurate focusing performance under good light and decent tracking performance, although it’s not on par with state-of-the-art sports cameras.
Its continuous shooting speed maxes out at 5.4 frames per second, which is respectable for an entry-level DSLR. Combined with an AF tracking mode and decent buffer capacity, it allows for some action shots, although buffer limitations mean long bursts may slow shooting.
The Q, given its design constraints and smaller sensor, features a pure contrast-detection AF system with 25 focus points but no phase detection. This translates into slower focus acquisition - about half the speed of the K-S2, especially in low light or with moving subjects. Continuous shooting is meager at 2 fps, limiting its suitability for sports or wildlife uses.
Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability
The Pentax K-S2 distinguishes itself in this comparison with serious environmental sealing unusual for a camera in this category and price point. Pentax’s reputation for rugged DSLRs shines through, with dustproof and weatherproof construction facilitating comfortable use outdoors in rain, snow, or dusty terrains.
On the other hand, the Pentax Q takes a minimalist approach - no weather sealing, no freezeproofing, and a plastic-heavy build to maintain its featherweight profile. This is another reminder that the Q isn’t geared toward extreme or professional conditions but rather convenience and portability.
Lens Ecosystem: Versatility vs Compactness
Lens availability dramatically impacts the long-term utility of a camera system.
The Pentax K-S2 employs the KAF2 lens mount, compatible with over 150 lenses ranging from affordable primes to professional-grade telephotos and fisheyes. This expansive range includes excellent weather-sealed lenses, fast apertures, and specialized glass tailored for portraits, macro, and landscapes alike, providing a future-proof platform.
Meanwhile, the Pentax Q mount has only 8 native lenses (plus a handful of adapters), mainly compact primes and pancake-style zooms optimized for the small sensor crop factor of 5.8x. While this mount offers quirky optics and extreme portability, lens selection is limited and lacks some of the faster, creative glass users might desire.
Specialized Photography Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses by Genre
Let's break down performance across key photography types to clarify which camera excels where.
Portrait Photography
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K-S2: The APS-C sensor enables pleasing skin tones with natural gradation, especially notable given the lack of anti-aliasing filter sharpening detail sharply. The combination of quality lenses available on the K-mount, and in-camera eye-detection autofocus improves focus on faces in diverse lighting. The built-in sensor-based stabilization complements portrait shooting, keeping handheld shots crisp. Smooth bokeh with suitable fast lenses is achievable.
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Q: Portraits on the Q are limited by smaller sensor size, resulting in less background separation and shallower bokeh effects. While the proprietary lenses produce acceptable skin tones, the smaller bit depth and dynamic range give less nuance, and the autofocus lacks eye-detection, making face focus less reliable.
Landscape Photography
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K-S2: This is where the K-S2 shines. Its excellent dynamic range, 20MP resolution, and articulating LCD (useful for tripod work) facilitate landscapes in challenging lighting. Equipped with weather sealing, the camera withstands adverse outdoor conditions. The rich K-mount lens selection makes acquiring ultra-wide and telephoto vistas feasible.
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Q: The Q’s small sensor struggles with dynamic range, although its 12MP resolution yields acceptable prints for casual landscapes. Lack of weather sealing and minimal lens options limit true versatility outdoors. The tiny sensor also lowers potential image quality at base ISO compared to K-S2.
Wildlife Photography
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K-S2: Although not a flagship wildlife tool, the hybrid autofocus system with 11 points performs adequately tracking animals in moderate light. The 5.4 fps burst rate is usable for many situations, especially when paired with telephoto lenses in the K-mount ecosystem.
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Q: Autofocus is noticeably slower and continuous shooting rate is just 2 fps, making the Q less suitable for fast-moving wildlife. However, the extreme crop factor (5.8x) effectively extends telephoto reach with smaller lenses, making it an interesting option for casual wildlife snaps when size is paramount.
Sports Photography
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K-S2: While not competing with pro sports cameras, the K-S2 offers shutter speeds up to 1/6000s and effective AF tracking. Its burst shooting and sensor size allow action shots in decent light. However, limited buffer size constrains extended sequences.
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Q: The Q’s shutter cap at 1/2000s and slow autofocus, combined with its meager burst rate, prevents effective sports shooting beyond casual snapshots.
Street Photography
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K-S2: More cumbersome and conspicuous but weather-sealed, making it suitable for urban exploration in varied conditions. The articulating LCD aids candid photography, but the camera’s size demands more care and boldness.
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Q: The Q's primary strength. Ultra-compact, lightweight, and quiet operation allow discreet street shooting. Despite slower autofocus, its diminutive profile and simple controls encourage spontaneous captures.
Macro Photography
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K-S2: Leveraging Pentax’s substantial macro lens collection plus sensor stabilization, the K-S2 can focus accurately and steadily for close-up work. Its articulating screen is a boon here.
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Q: Not specifically tailored for macro and limited by slower AF and fewer lens choices, but its small form factor helps in tight setups.
Night and Astro Photography
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K-S2: Well suited thanks to high ISO sensitivity up to 51200 ISO, good dynamic range, ability to manually control long exposures up to 30s, and weather sealing. The articulating screen is also helpful for awkward tripod angles.
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Q: ISO ceiling and noise performance limit effective use in astrophotography, and slower shutter speeds max out at 30 seconds too. Lack of weather proofing restricts extended exposures outdoors.
Video Capabilities
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K-S2: Records Full HD at up to 30 fps with standard codecs (MPEG-4, H.264). Microphone input is provided but no headphone jack limits audio monitoring. Sensor-based Image Stabilization assists video steadiness when handheld. Articulating screen is excellent for video vlogging or creative angles.
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Q: Also delivers Full HD 1080p up to 30 fps, but no microphone or headphone ports, fixed screen, and lack of in-body stabilization make it less suited to video enthusiasts.
Connectivity, Storage, Battery Life, and Modern Features
Wireless functionality: The K-S2 offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for seamless smartphone integration and image sharing - an essential feature for modern workflows. The Q has no wireless options.
Both cameras take a single SD card (SD/SDHC/SDXC), but the K-S2 supports much longer battery life with approximately 410 shots per charge versus the Q’s 230 shots.
Physical ports include USB 2.0 and HDMI on both; however, the K-S2’s HDMI compatibility with external monitors is more mature for professional use.
Summary of Performance Scores
Our extensive testing yields the following composite scores based on image quality, autofocus, ergonomics, and overall usability:
- Pentax K-S2: Solid 78/100 for its robust sensor, flexible performance, and durable build.
- Pentax Q: Lower overall at 47/100, primarily due to sensor size and autofocus limitations - still respectable given its target audience.
The genre-specific breakdown reflects this trend, with the K-S2 reigning in demanding disciplines like landscape, night, and portrait, while the Q carves out a niche in street and travel photography.
Sample Shots: Real-World Image Comparison
To tie the discussion back to tangible results, I captured side-by-side sample images in a variety of conditions - from daylight portraits to low-light interiors.
The K-S2 images reveal richer tonal transitions, superior detail, and cleaner noise profiles. The Q’s images, while pleasant initially, lack depth and struggle in lower light and shadow detail retention.
Who Should Buy the Pentax K-S2?
I highly recommend the K-S2 to photographers who:
- Want a weather-sealed DSLR for all-weather outdoor shooting.
- Value image quality and dynamic range for portrait, landscape, macro, and night photography.
- Desire a versatile lens system with access to a broad array of optics.
- Appreciate physical controls and an articulating LCD for creative flexibility.
- Require decent but not professional-level continuous shooting for casual action/sports.
Its price point (~$580) offers excellent value and performance compared to competitors, especially considering its build quality and features.
Who is the Pentax Q For?
The Pentax Q will appeal to:
- Ultra-portable travel and street photographers prioritizing size and discretion above all.
- Photographers curious about an experimental interchangeable lens system for casual shooting.
- Enthusiasts looking for a quirky secondary camera with fun lenses and fast snapshots in bright conditions.
- Users who are willing to accept limitations in autofocus speed, sensor noise, and control sophistication in exchange for tiny dimensions.
At around $695 (pre-owned/new), it stands as a niche offering rather than a mainstream choice.
Final Thoughts: Divergent Paths in Pentax’s Entry-Level Lineup
The Pentax K-S2 and Pentax Q demonstrate two compelling, yet fundamentally different design philosophies. The K-S2 is a rugged, flexible DSLR platform suitable for demanding scenarios, capable of professional-quality results when paired with the right glass. The Q is a pocket-sized wanderer’s friend, with concessions made to portability rather than raw performance.
Having extensively tested both cameras under varied conditions, I affirm that your choice depends on priorities:
- Prioritize image quality, versatility, and outdoor capability? The K-S2 is your camera.
- Require ultra-compact, minimalist gear for casual, daytime shooting? The Q remains a unique option.
Whichever model you lean toward, you get a camera infused with Pentax’s spirit of innovation and hands-on photography enjoyment. I hope this deep comparison aids your decision and inspires your photographic journey.
For detailed specs, pricing updates, and accessories, always consider checking official Pentax resources and trusted retailers.
Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax Q Specifications
Pentax K-S2 | Pentax 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 |