• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Fujifilm X-A1 advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Less expensive
    $600 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Wider angle kit lens
    24 mm vs 27 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Fujifilm X-A1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-A1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-S2

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

The Competition

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Fujifilm X-A1
Sony NEX-3N
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • Higher-res screen
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax K-S2
Sony NEX-3N
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $449
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Samsung NX1100

Fujifilm X-A1
Samsung NX1100
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • More pixels
Pentax K-S2
Samsung NX1100
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax K-500

Fujifilm X-A1
Pentax K-500
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Fujifilm X-A1
Sony NEX-5T
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax K-S2
Sony NEX-5T
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $299
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Fujifilm X-A1
Pentax K-S1
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
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