• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Panasonic G95

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic G95 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    120 mm vs 75 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Newer
    6 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1240k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.74x vs 0.63x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.3 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.3 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    31 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/6000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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

  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-S2

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

  • Weather-sealed build quality; Very good image quality; Effective IBIS; Good AF performance; Unlimited 4K/30p video; V-Log L included.

  • No phase-detection autofocus; Below average battery life; No 4K 60p video frame rate.

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
Panasonic G95
Pentax K-500
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Panasonic G95
Pentax K-S1
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D5500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Panasonic G95
Nikon D5500
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Pentax K-S2
Panasonic GH5
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic G95
Panasonic GH5
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Panasonic G9

Pentax K-S2
Panasonic G9
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic G95
Panasonic G9
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $965
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • High resolution composite
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