Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon Z 30

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Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon Z 30

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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.

APS-C 369.0mm²
20.9 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z 30 Review.

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Nikon Z 30

Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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
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

410 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Faster shutter
1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Nikon Z 30 advantages over Pentax K-S2

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
Newer
2 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Higher-res screen
346k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
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
11.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (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
Tilt-swivel screen
Both provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Read K-S2 User Reviews

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Read Z 30 User Reviews

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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)

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Buy the Nikon Z 30

Kit with 16-50mm Lens

All Z 30 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 reviewed the Nikon Z 30.
Read our Nikon Z 30 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

Nikon Z 30

Pentax K-500

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$597
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon Z 30 vs Pentax K-500

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-S2

Nikon D5300

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D5300

Nikon Z 30

Nikon D5300

$697
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$549
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Built-in GPS

Compare Nikon Z 30 vs Nikon D5300

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 Z 30

Pentax K-S1

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$502
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon Z 30 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Canon EOS M50 II

Pentax K-S2

Canon EOS M50 II

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon EOS M50 II

Nikon Z 30

Canon EOS M50 II

$697
APS-C

Larger sensor
Newer

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Nikon Z 30 vs Canon EOS M50 II

Compared to Nikon Z fc

Pentax K-S2

Nikon Z fc

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$924
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon Z fc

Nikon Z 30

Nikon Z fc

$697
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$924
APS-C

Eye-level viewfinder
Thinner

Compare Nikon Z 30 vs Nikon Z fc

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