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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290

Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
47
Overall
51

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-S1
Sony A290
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Older Model is Sony A230
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290 Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Pentax K-S2 and Sony A290, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the K-S2 (20MP) and A290 (14MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-S2 was introduced 4 years later than the A290 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the K-S2 matches up vs the A290 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Sony A290

 K-S2 A290 
IntroducedFebruary 2015June 2010Fresher by 57 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A290 over the Pentax K-S2

 A290 K-S2 

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Sony A290

 K-S2 A290 
Manual focus More precise focus
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-S2 features exterior measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Sony A290 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-S2 and Sony A290 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the K-S2 compared to the A290.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-S2 and A290 is 64 and 66 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing merely by reviewing specs. The visual below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-S2 and A290.

All in all, each of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax K-S2 to offer extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images much more aggressively. The fresher K-S2 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
Portrait photography with Sony A290
78
has manual focus
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
65
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
no liveview
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-S2
Street photography with Sony A290
72
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than competitors (678 grams)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Sports photography highlights
Sony A290 Sports photography highlights
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
55
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Travel photography highlights
Sony A290 Travel photography highlights
65
weather proofing
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors (678g)
53
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A290 as a Landscape photography camera
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
58
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no liveview
low battery pack (290 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Vlogging factors
Sony A290 Vlogging factors
71
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (678 grams)
9
can't record video
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A290 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Sony A290
 Pentax K-S2Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-S2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A290
Category Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2015-02-10 2010-06-09
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip PRIME MII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch 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
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.55x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.4 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 grams (1.49 lbs) 549 grams (1.21 lbs)
Dimensions 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.5
DXO Low light score not tested 615
Other
Battery life 410 photos 290 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo, SD/SDHC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $581 $600