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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
64
Imaging
63
Features
82
Overall
70
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V 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
  • Launched February 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-S1
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony HX20V
  • New Model is Sony HX50V
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-S2 (20MP) and the HX30V (18MP) is fairly close but the K-S2 (APS-C) and HX30V (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The K-S2 was launched 2 years after the HX30V which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the K-S2 matches up versus the HX30V in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Sony HX30V

 K-S2 HX30V 
IntroducedFebruary 2015February 2012Newer by 36 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Pentax K-S2

 HX30V K-S2 
Display resolution922k921kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Sony HX30V

 K-S2 HX30V 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-S2 comes with exterior dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Sony HX30V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the K-S2 vs the HX30V.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-S2 and HX30V is 64 and 90 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The pic below may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-S2 and HX30V.

All in all, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The K-S2 due to its larger sensor will make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Pentax K-S2 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The more modern K-S2 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography information
Sony HX30V Portrait photography information
77
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
45
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Street photography features
Sony HX30V Street photography features
71
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competitors in class (678 grams)
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (254g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Sports photography info
Sony HX30V Sports photography info
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 fps)
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
49
amazing zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
provides tracking autofocus
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
Travel photography with Sony HX30V
64
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
not so great battery power (410 shots)
more heavy than competitors in class (678 grams)
69
lighter than competition in class (254g)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long reach (500mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography information
Sony HX30V Landscape photography information
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
not so great battery power (410 shots)
50
has manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony HX30V as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (678 grams)
34
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (254 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.2)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic port
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Sony HX30V
 Pentax K-S2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K-S2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Category Entry-Level DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2015-02-10 2012-02-28
Body design Compact SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by PRIME MII BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 18MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 4896 x 3672
Maximum native ISO 51200 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 921k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.4 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 7.10 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 678g (1.49 lb) 254g (0.56 lb)
Physical dimensions 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 320 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $581 $420