• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 200.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon P7800 advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Less expensive
    $550 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.5 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    8.4 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Nikon P7800

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.42 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 12.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    9 vs 6 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 6400 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
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Both provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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.
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-S2

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality for a 1/1.7" sensor; Versatile 28-200mm eq. lens with fast f/2-4 max aperture; Built-in EVF; Fully articulating LCD; Generous set of physical controls; Built-in flash with wireless support; Standard dedicated hot shoe; Full HD and slo-mo movies.

  • Slow cycle times and buffer clearing with RAW files; Shallow burst mode buffer; Mediocre autofocus speed and shutter lag; Sluggish UI at times; Slow to switch to movie mode; Optical zoom not supported during movie recording when using manual exposure modes; No built-in Wi-Fi.

  • 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 Nikon P7700

Nikon P7800
Nikon P7700
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Higher-res screen
Pentax K-S2
Nikon P7700
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Nikon P7800
Pentax MX-1
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Higher-res screen
  • Less shutter lag
Pentax K-S2
Pentax MX-1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Pentax K-500

Nikon P7800
Pentax K-500
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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 Canon G16

Nikon P7800
Canon G16
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking
Pentax K-S2
Canon G16
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Integrated ND filter

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Nikon P7800
Pentax K-S1
  • $500
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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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