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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9

Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
74
Features
93
Overall
81

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-S1
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Released April 2017
  • Later Model is Sony A9 II
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-S2 (20MP) and the A9 (24MP) is very similar but the K-S2 (APS-C) and A9 (Full frame) boast different sensor sizing.

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The K-S2 was manufactured 3 years prior to the A9 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony A9 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the K-S2 grades versus the A9 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Sony A9

 K-S2 A9 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Pentax K-S2

 A9 K-S2 
ReleasedApril 2017February 2015More modern by 26 months
Display resolution1440k921kSharper display (+519k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Sony A9

 K-S2 A9 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurement

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Pentax K-S2 enjoys physical dimensions 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 A9 has specifications of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the K-S2 versus the A9.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-S2 and A9 is 64 and 65 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The image below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-S2 and A9.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The K-S2 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A9 will offer you more detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The more aged K-S2 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
78
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
84
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Street photography advice
Sony A9 Street photography advice
72
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competitors in class (678g)
79
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
features focus via touch
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Sports photography details
Sony A9 Sports photography details
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
low battery power (410 shots)
87
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high frames per second (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery pack (650 shots)
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
Travel photography with Sony A9
65
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
low battery power (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors in class (678g)
74
good battery pack (650 CIPA)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
features focus via touch
decent megapixels (24MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography information
Sony A9 Landscape photography information
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
low battery power (410 shots)
86
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
good battery pack (650 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-S2
Vlogging with Sony A9
71
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone port
more heavy than competitors in class (678 grams)
37
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Sony A9
 Pentax K-S2Sony Alpha A9
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-S2 Sony Alpha A9
Class Entry-Level DSLR Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2015-02-10 2017-04-19
Body design Compact SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME MII BIONZ X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Min enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 693
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony E
Amount of lenses 151 121
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max silent shutter speed - 1/32000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.4 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 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 Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 678g (1.49 lbs) 673g (1.48 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.3
DXO Low light score not tested 3517
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 650 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots One Dual
Pricing at release $581 $4,498