• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Medium format 2,169.5mm2
  • 101.1 megapixels
  • ISO 50 - 12,800

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Phase One XF 100MP

  • Less expensive
    $800 vs $48990 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 10.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    64 mm vs 160 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.33 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.2 fps vs 0.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Phase One XF 100MP advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Larger sensor
    Medium format vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher-res screen
    384k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More pixels
    101.1 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    3600 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • 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 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
  • 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

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Buy the Pentax K-S2
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Buy the Phase One XF 100MP

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

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

Phase One XF 100MP
Pentax K-500
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Pentax K-500

Compared to Pentax 645Z

Pentax K-S2
Pentax 645Z
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax 645Z

Phase One XF 100MP
Pentax 645Z
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $4845
  • Medium format
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Pentax 645Z

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

Phase One XF 100MP
Pentax K-S1
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Pentax K-S1

Compared to Leica S (Typ 007)

Pentax K-S2
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Leica S (Typ 007)

Phase One XF 100MP
Leica S (Typ 007)
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Larger sensor
  • Touchscreen
  • $19995
  • Medium format
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Leica S (Typ 007)

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

Phase One XF 100MP
Nikon D5500
  • $48990
  • Medium format
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Phase One XF 100MP vs Nikon D5500

Compare Other Cameras?