• 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 50.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Canon 5DS advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 1.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 700 vs 410 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • More cross-type AF points
    41 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • Higher-res screen
    348k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    50.6 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    61 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    15 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Canon 5DS

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.27 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-S2
Body Only (White)
  • Body Only (White)
  • Body Only (Black)
  • Body Only (Black/Orange)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (Black/Orange)
  • Kit with 18-50mm WR Lens (White)
All K-S2 Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Very compact for a weather-sealed DSLR; Good ergonomics and great viewfinder; Excellent image quality; Decent performance for its class; Articulated screen is great for difficult compositions; Offers features not found in other Pentax DSLRs

  • 18-50mm kit lens is fiddly and prone to jamming when retracted; Wi-Fi is slow and unintuitive; Slow startup; Limited movie mode; Poor battery life for a DSLR; Priced too close to its enthusiast-grade sibling

  • Read our Pentax K-S2 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-500

Canon 5DS
Pentax K-500
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5DS vs Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-500

Compared to Nikon D810

Canon 5DS
Nikon D810
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $2278
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 5DS vs Nikon D810

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D810
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2278
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D810

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Canon 5DS
Pentax K-S1
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5DS vs Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Canon 5DS
Canon 5DS R
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Canon 5DS vs Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-S2
Canon 5DS R
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS
Pentax K-1
  • $1549
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 5DS vs Pentax K-1

Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • High resolution composite

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-1

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