• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 864.0mm2
  • 24.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Leica Q

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    64 mm vs 93 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Leica Q advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 6.00 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    24.0 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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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

  • Read our Pentax K-S2 Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Leica Q
Pentax K-500
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compare Leica Q vs Pentax K-500

Compared to 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

Leica Q
Pentax K-S1
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compare Leica Q vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D5500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D5500

Leica Q
Nikon D5500
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica Q vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Pentax K-S2
Leica X-U (Typ 113)
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $3495
  • APS-C
  • Waterproof
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Leica Q
Leica X-U (Typ 113)
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $3495
  • APS-C
  • Waterproof
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Leica Q vs Leica X-U (Typ 113)

Compared to Leica Q2

Pentax K-S2
Leica Q2
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • NFC
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Leica Q2

Leica Q
Leica Q2
  • $3695
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $5447
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Leica Q vs Leica Q2

Compare Other Cameras?