Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57
64 Imaging
63 Features
82 Overall
70
64 Imaging
56 Features
85 Overall
67
Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month 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).
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 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.
Photography Glossary Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-S2 & Sony SLT-A57. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax K-S2 Gallery & Sony A57 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Sony A57
| K-S2 | A57 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | February 2015 | September 2012 | Fresher 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 type | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 3" | Equal screen size | |
| Screen resolution | 921k | 921k | The 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.
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.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-S2 and A57 is 64 and 64 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57 Specifications
| Pentax K-S2 | Sony 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 |