• APS-C 372.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • 35.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Fujifilm X100 advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.50 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Fujifilm X100

  • Less expensive
    $800 vs $1200 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 3.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.40 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.63x vs 0.50x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 fps vs 4.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 10 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Pentax K-S2

Review Excerpt

  • Superb image quality; Dazzling Hybrid Viewfinder; Traditional mechanical controls; Mostly excellent optical performance.

  • Quirky interface; Manual dials turn easily; Manual focus is too difficult to use; Dramatic lens flare, especially at night.

  • 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 Fujifilm X100S

Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100S
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax K-S2
Fujifilm X100S
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Pentax K-500

Fujifilm X100
Pentax K-500
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Thinner
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
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 Pentax K-S1

Fujifilm X100
Pentax K-S1
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen

Compared to Fujifilm X100T

Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100T
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax K-S2
Fujifilm X100T
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Fujifilm X100F

Fujifilm X100
Fujifilm X100F
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
Pentax K-S2
Fujifilm X100F
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect
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