Pentax K-S2 vs Leica Q2

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Pentax K-S2 vs Leica Q2

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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.

35mm 864.0mm²
47.3 megapixels
28.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Leica Q2 Review.

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Leica Q2

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
64 mm vs 91 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
HDMI out vs None
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Leica Q2 advantages over Pentax K-S2

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Higher max flash sync
1/500 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
6 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More viewfinder magnification
0.76x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
47.3 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Longer exposure
120 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
20.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
20.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
14 vs 9 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/40000 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
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
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 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

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Q2 User Reviews

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Body Only (White)

Body Only (White)
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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)

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Buy the Leica Q2

Leica Q2 (Black)

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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

We haven’t reviewed the Leica Q2.
Read our Leica Q2 Hands-On Preview

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 Q2

Pentax K-500

$5447
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$597
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Internal flash

Compare Leica Q2 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 Q2

Pentax K-S1

$5447
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

$502
APS-C

Longer stills battery life
Internal flash

Compare Leica Q2 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 Q2

Nikon D5500

$5447
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Leica Q2 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Leica Q

Pentax K-S2

Leica Q

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Internal flash

$3695
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Leica Q

Leica Q2

Leica Q

$5447
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Built-in Bluetooth

$3695
35mm

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Leica Q2 vs Leica Q

Compared to Zeiss ZX1

Pentax K-S2

Zeiss ZX1

$499
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$6000
35mm

Larger sensor
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Zeiss ZX1

Leica Q2

Zeiss ZX1

$5447
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$6000
35mm

NFC
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Leica Q2 vs Zeiss ZX1

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