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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57

Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Sony SLT-A57 front
Portability
64
Imaging
57
Features
85
Overall
68

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-S1
Sony A57
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 618g - 132 x 98 x 81mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Succeeded the Sony A55
  • Later Model is Sony A58
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57, both Entry-Level DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the K-S2 (20MP) and A57 (16MP) but both cameras boast the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-S2 was launched 2 years later than the A57 and that is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the K-S2 scores vs the A57 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Sony A57

 K-S2 A57 
IntroducedFebruary 2015September 2012Fresher by 30 months

Reasons to pick Sony A57 over the Pentax K-S2

 A57 K-S2 

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Sony A57

 K-S2 A57 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Screen resolution921k921kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-S2 has got physical measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") having a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) while the Sony A57 has dimensions of 132mm x 98mm x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2") with a weight of 618 grams (1.36 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the K-S2 and the A57.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-S2 and A57 is 64 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing purely by checking technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the K-S2 and A57.

As you have seen, both of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Pentax K-S2 to give more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern K-S2 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A57 as a Portrait photography camera
78
focusing manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Street photography information
Sony A57 Street photography information
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
good high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competitors (678 grams)
75
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
Sports photography with Sony A57
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery (410 CIPA)
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Travel photography highlights
Sony A57 Travel photography highlights
65
weather sealing
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
bad battery (410 CIPA)
heavier than competitors (678g)
67
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse mode
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-S2
Landscape photography with Sony A57
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
bad battery (410 shots)
72
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
missing Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Vlogging info
Sony A57 Vlogging info
71
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic jack
heavier than competitors (678 grams)
77
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic port
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Sony A57
 Pentax K-S2Sony SLT-A57
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-S2 Sony SLT-A57
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2015-02-10 2012-09-13
Body design Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME MII -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 51200 16000
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - Xtra Fine TFT drive with TruBlack technology
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.4 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) 1920 x 1080 (60p, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 678g (1.49 lbs) 618g (1.36 lbs)
Physical dimensions 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") 132 x 98 x 81mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 75
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 785
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 550 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 media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $581 $1,000