Pentax K-S2 vs Panasonic GX9

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Pentax K-S2 vs Panasonic GX9

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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
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX9 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX9.
Compare Panasonic GX9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX9 conclusion.

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Panasonic GX9

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.
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

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 260 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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 GX9 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
Thinner
46 mm vs 64 mm
Thinner
Newer
7 years vs 10 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
660g vs 859g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
413k 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
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
9.2 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
140 vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
32 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
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
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
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 GX9 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

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX9

Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-60mm lens (Silver)

All GX9 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

Great image quality; Good high ISO performance for its class; Improved JPEG processing; Fast autofocus; Fast ~9fps burst mode.
Smallish field-sequential EVF; Below average battery life; No mic/headphone jacks; Noticeable crop on 4K video.
Read our Panasonic GX9 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 GX9

Pentax K-500

$898
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$597
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 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

Panasonic GX9

Pentax K-S1

$898
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$502
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 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

Panasonic GX9

Nikon D5500

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$697
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax K-S2

Panasonic GX85

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$598
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX9

Panasonic GX85

$898
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
More telephoto lens reach

$598
4/3

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Pentax K-S2

Olympus E-M10 III

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$549
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX9

Olympus E-M10 III

$898
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Built-in Bluetooth

$549
4/3

Longer stills battery life
Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-M10 III

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