• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.9 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Nikon Z fc

  • 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 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 fc 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
  • Thinner
    43 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    3 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
  • 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
  • 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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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-S2

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z fc

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

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
Nikon Z fc
Pentax K-500
  • $924
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

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
Nikon Z fc
Pentax K-S1
  • $924
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D5500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Nikon Z fc
Nikon D5500
  • $924
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Fujifilm X-T200

Pentax K-S2
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon Z fc
Fujifilm X-T200
  • $924
  • APS-C
  • Newer
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Nikon Z 30

Pentax K-S2
Nikon Z 30
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Nikon Z fc
Nikon Z 30
  • $924
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Thinner
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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