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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560

Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A560 front
Portability
64
Imaging
54
Features
78
Overall
63

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560 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
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-S1
Sony A560
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A500
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Pentax K-S2 and Sony A560, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the K-S2 (20MP) and A560 (14MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-S2 was introduced 4 years after the A560 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before diving through a complete comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K-S2 scores vs the A560 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Sony A560

 K-S2 A560 
LaunchedFebruary 2015August 2010Newer by 55 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A560 over the Pentax K-S2

 A560 K-S2 
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Sony A560

 K-S2 A560 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera often, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-S2 comes with outside measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Sony A560 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K-S2 and Sony A560 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the K-S2 versus the A560.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-S2 and A560 is 64 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading through specs. The pic here may offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-S2 and A560.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You should anticipate the Pentax K-S2 to resolve extra detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The newer K-S2 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A560 as a Portrait photography camera
78
focusing manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Street photography details
Sony A560 Street photography details
72
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than others (678 grams)
75
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Sports photography advice
Sony A560 Sports photography advice
70
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
bad battery pack (410 shots)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (1,050 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
Travel photography with Sony A560
65
environment sealing
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
heavier than others (678g)
60
better than average battery (1,050 shots)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-S2
Landscape photography with Sony A560
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery pack (410 shots)
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (1,050 shots)
two card slots
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A560 as a Vlogging camera
71
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic jack
heavier than others (678g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A560 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Sony A560
 Pentax K-S2Sony Alpha DSLR-A560
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-S2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A560
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2015-02-10 2010-08-24
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME MII Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.4 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
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 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 678 grams (1.49 lb) 599 grams (1.32 lb)
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 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.3
DXO Low light score not tested 817
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 1050 pictures
Form 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 shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One 2
Retail price $581 $650