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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III

Portability
64
Imaging
63
Features
82
Overall
70
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R III front
Portability
63
Imaging
77
Features
93
Overall
83

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III Key Specs

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
  • Released February 2015
  • Superseded the Pentax K-S1
Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Revealed October 2017
  • Replaced the Sony A7R II
  • Refreshed by Sony A7R IV
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Pentax K-S2 versus Sony A7R III, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-S2 (20MP) and A7R III (42MP) and the K-S2 (APS-C) and A7R III (Full frame) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The K-S2 was introduced 3 years earlier than the A7R III and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A7R III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the K-S2 scores against the A7R III in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Sony A7R III

 K-S2 A7R III 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Pentax K-S2

 A7R III K-S2 
RevealedOctober 2017February 2015More recent by 32 months
Screen resolution1440k921kCrisper screen (+519k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Sony A7R III

 K-S2 A7R III 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-S2 has got physical measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Sony A7R III has sizing of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-S2 versus Sony A7R III in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the K-S2 against the A7R III.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the K-S2 and A7R III is 64 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by going through specifications. The graphic underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-S2 and A7R III.

Plainly, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The K-S2 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A7R III will provide greater detail using its extra 22MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The older K-S2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography advice
Sony A7R III Portrait photography advice
77
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
86
manual focus
great megapixels (42MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Street photography features
Sony A7R III Street photography features
71
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition (678 grams)
79
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
includes touch to focus
weather proof
great ISO range (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Sports photography info
Sony A7R III Sports photography info
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (5.4 fps)
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
88
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (42 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
better than average battery (650 CIPA)
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
Travel photography with Sony A7R III
64
environment sealing
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
not so great battery power (410 shots)
heavier than competition (678 grams)
73
better than average battery (650 per charge)
weather proof
supports bluetooth
includes touch to focus
great megapixels (42MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography information
Sony A7R III Landscape photography information
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
87
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (42MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great ISO range (32,000)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
better than average battery (650 shots)
2 card slots
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7R III as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic port
heavier than competition (678 grams)
36
touchscreen functionality
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
has mic support
screen is not selfie friendly
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A7R III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Sony A7R III
 Pentax K-S2Sony Alpha A7R III
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-S2 Sony Alpha A7R III
Category Entry-Level DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Released 2015-02-10 2017-10-25
Physical type Compact SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip PRIME MII Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 5472 x 3648 7952 x 5304
Max native ISO 51200 32000
Max boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 425
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Total lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 1,440 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.78x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.4 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 678 grams (1.49 lb) 657 grams (1.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 100
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.7
DXO Low light rating not tested 3523
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 650 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Card slots Single Two
Cost at launch $581 $2,800