Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D780

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Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D780

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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 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon D780 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the D780.

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Nikon D780

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

Nikon D780 advantages over Pentax K-S2

Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

2260 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
120 mm vs 75 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More cross-type AF points
15 vs 9
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Newer
5 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
786k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.5 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
More AF points
51 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
900 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 51200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D780 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-S2

Body Only (White)

Body Only (White)
Body Only (Black)
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)

All K-S2 Deals

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Buy the Nikon D780

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-120mm f/4 lens

All D780 Deals

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 finished our review of the Nikon D780, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Nikon D780 Shooter's Report

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

Nikon D780

Pentax K-500

$1830
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$597
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

Compare Nikon D780 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

Nikon D780

Pentax K-S1

$1830
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$502
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Internal flash

Compare Nikon D780 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

Nikon D780

Nikon D5500

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon D780 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-S2

Canon 5D Mark IV

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Nikon D780

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1830
35mm

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2249
35mm

NFC
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon D780 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-1 II

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
High resolution composite

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax K-1 II

Nikon D780

Pentax K-1 II

$1830
35mm

Bigger pixels
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

In-Camera Image Stabilization
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon D780 vs Pentax K-1 II

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