Pentax K-S2 vs Panasonic GX850

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Pentax K-S2 vs Panasonic GX850

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX850 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX850 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX850.
Compare Panasonic GX850 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX850 conclusion.

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Panasonic GX850

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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
Fast startup
~1.00 vs 2.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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 210 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
75 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/180 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
Higher resolution 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 GX850 advantages over Pentax K-S2

Less expensive
$550 vs $800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Thinner
33 mm vs 64 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
336g vs 859g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
347k 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
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
114 vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.5 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
17 vs 9 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
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
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
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
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX850 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 Panasonic GX850

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm Lens (Silver)

All GX850 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

Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.
No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.
Read our Panasonic GX850 Review

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

Panasonic GX850

Pentax K-500

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GX850 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

Panasonic GX850

Nikon D5300

$548
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Panasonic GX850 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

Panasonic GX850

Pentax K-S1

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$502
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Pentax K-S2

Panasonic GM5

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$898
4/3

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GM5

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Pentax K-S2

Panasonic GF7

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tilt-swivel screen

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GX850 vs Panasonic GF7

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