Nikon D3S vs Pentax K-S2

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Nikon D3S vs Pentax K-S2

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35mm 860.4mm²
12.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Nikon D3S Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D3S.

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.

Succeeded by the Nikon D4
Compare D3S vs D4
Compare Nikon D4 vs Pentax K-S2

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Differences

Nikon D3S advantages over Pentax K-S2

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 8.46 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.30 vs 1.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

4200 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Faster JPEG shooting
9.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
90 vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
41 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 Nikon D3S

Less expensive
$800 vs $5200 (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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
64 mm vs 87 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Newer
10 years vs 15 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
More pixels
20.1 vs 12.1 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read D3S User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S2 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

Read our Nikon D3S Full 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 Nikon D3X

Nikon D3S

Nikon D3X

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$2500
35mm

More dynamic range
External Mic Jack

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D3X

Pentax K-S2

Nikon D3X

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$2500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D3X

Compared to Canon 1DX

Nikon D3S

Canon 1DX

$5200
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

$5299
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Canon 1DX

Pentax K-S2

Canon 1DX

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$5299
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon 1DX

Compared to Nikon D4

Nikon D3S

Nikon D4

$5200
35mm

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$4500
35mm

External Mic Jack
Shoots 1080p video

Compare Nikon D3S vs Nikon D4

Pentax K-S2

Nikon D4

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$4500
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D4

Compared to Pentax K-500

Nikon D3S

Pentax K-500

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$597
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3S 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 Pentax K-S1

Nikon D3S

Pentax K-S1

$5200
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$502
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Nikon D3S 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

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