Canon 6D vs Pentax K-S2

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Canon 6D vs Pentax K-S2

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35mm 855.6mm²
20.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Canon 6D Review.
How does it shoot? Canon 6D in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the 6D.
Compare Canon 6D image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Canon 6D conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-S2 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-S2 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-S2.
Compare Pentax K-S2 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-S2 conclusion.

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Differences

Canon 6D advantages over Pentax K-S2

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 6.54 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.50 vs 1.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

1090 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
105 mm vs 75 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
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
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Bigger JPEG buffer
1250 vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
17 vs 9 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Canon 6D

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
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 1
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Lighter weight
859g vs 1448g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster JPEG shooting
5.2 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
5.2 fps vs 4.4 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
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
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read 6D User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

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Buy the Canon 6D

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Body Only
Kit with 24-105mm Lens

All 6D Deals

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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

Excellent image quality on par to more expensive full-frame DSLRs (including the 5D Mark III); Responsive all-around performer; Superior HD video-shooting chops; Built-in Wi-Fi with remote control and sharing features, Built-in GPS and geotagging.
Lacks a built-in, pop-up flash; No external headphone jack; Rather basic 11-point autofocus system; Mediocre burst speed.
Read our Canon 6D Review

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 Canon 5D Mark III

Canon 6D

Canon 5D Mark III

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$2079
35mm

More cross-type AF points
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 5D Mark III

Pentax K-S2

Canon 5D Mark III

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2079
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon 5D Mark III

Compared to Nikon D610

Canon 6D

Nikon D610

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Built-in Wi-Fi

$1196
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D610

Pentax K-S2

Nikon D610

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1196
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D610

Compared to Canon 7D Mark II

Canon 6D

Canon 7D Mark II

$1499
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1597
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Canon 6D vs Canon 7D Mark II

Pentax K-S2

Canon 7D Mark II

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1597
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon 7D Mark II

Compared to Nikon D600

Canon 6D

Nikon D600

$1499
35mm

Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in GPS

$1900
35mm

Fast startup
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon 6D vs Nikon D600

Pentax K-S2

Nikon D600

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1900
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D600

Compared to Pentax K-500

Canon 6D

Pentax K-500

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$597
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 6D 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

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