• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 300.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Nikon S6800 advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Less expensive
    $220 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    22 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.4 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Nikon S6800

  • 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
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 170 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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 dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/2000 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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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 Nikon S6800

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 Nikon S6200

Nikon S6800
Nikon S6200
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
Pentax K-S2
Nikon S6200
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony WX150

Nikon S6800
Sony WX150
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Higher extended ISO
Pentax K-S2
Sony WX150
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Fujifilm T550

Nikon S6800
Fujifilm T550
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure
Pentax K-S2
Fujifilm T550
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $160
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax K-500

Nikon S6800
Pentax K-500
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • 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 Pentax K-S1

Nikon S6800
Pentax K-S1
  • $147
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $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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