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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500

Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 front
Portability
63
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 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
  • Released February 2015
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-S1
Sony A500
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched August 2009
  • Updated by Sony A560
Photography Glossary

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the K-S2 (20MP) and A500 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-S2 was released 5 years later than the A500 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the K-S2 grades against the A500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Sony A500

 K-S2 A500 
LaunchedFebruary 2015August 2009More recent by 67 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax K-S2

 A500 K-S2 

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Sony A500

 K-S2 A500 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-S2 features 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) while the Sony A500 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check out the Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the K-S2 against the A500.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-S2 and A500 is 64 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor measurements just by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-S2 and A500.

Clearly, both of these cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-S2 to deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively. The fresher K-S2 provides an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
Portrait photography with Sony A500
78
manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
63
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
Sony A500 as a Street photography camera
72
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
heavier than average (678g)
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Sports photography advice
Sony A500 Sports photography advice
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
low battery life (410 shots)
51
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery (520 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Travel photography details
Sony A500 Travel photography details
65
weather sealing
decent MP (20MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
low battery life (410 per charge)
heavier than average (678 grams)
43
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery (520 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography information
Sony A500 Landscape photography information
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
low battery life (410 per charge)
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery (520 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A500 as a Vlogging camera
71
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic support
heavier than average (678g)
9
no video recording
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Sony A500
 Pentax K-S2Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-S2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A500
Type Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2015-02-10 2009-08-27
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor PRIME MII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 4272 x 2848
Highest native ISO 51200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 921k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.4fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings 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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file 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 gr (1.49 pounds) 630 gr (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 64
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 772
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 520 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI109 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $581 $638