• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax K-S1 advantages over Pentax K-3 II

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Pentax K-3 II advantages over Pentax K-S1

  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 720 vs 480 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More cross-type AF points
    25 vs 9
    Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
  • More pixels
    24.4 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • More AF points
    27 vs 11
    More AF points improve autofocus
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 5.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    60 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-S1
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  • Body Only
  • Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses
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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3 II
Body Only (Black)
All K-3 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Top-notch image quality; Spectacular detail from Pixel Shift Resolution; Better performance than K-3; Geotag images with no accessories; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Clever on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots

  • No built-in flash strobe; No wireless flash support out of the box; AstroTracer function can be finicky; AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a prosumer DSLR; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors

  • Read our Pentax K-3 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony A58

Pentax K-S1
Sony A58
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A58

Pentax K-3 II
Sony A58
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Sony A58

Compared to Pentax K-500

Pentax K-S1
Pentax K-500
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More pixels
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-500

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K-500
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • High resolution composite
  • Built-in GPS
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-500

Compared to Canon T6i

Pentax K-S1
Canon T6i
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Canon T6i

Pentax K-3 II
Canon T6i
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $599
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Canon T6i

Compared to Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-S1
Pentax K-S2
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax K-S2
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • High resolution composite
  • Built-in GPS
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax K-S2

Compared to Pentax KP

Pentax K-S1
Pentax KP
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • High resolution composite

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax KP

Pentax K-3 II
Pentax KP
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax KP

Compare Other Cameras?