• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Ricoh GR II

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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 1.3 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/6000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Ricoh GR II advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Longer exposure
    300 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 28 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    6.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • 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

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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

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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

  • Shooting with a wide prime helps you see new shots; Good performance and fast autofocus; Excellent sharp, bright lens; Very customizable; In-camera Wi-Fi works with more than just Android and iOS; Supports Pentax wireless flash strobes

  • Fixed, wide prime lens isn't for everyone; Cramped controls; Burst capture is slower for JPEGs; Tends too warm under incandescent lighting; Wi-Fi app is poor, and web browser control has cluttered interface

  • Read our Ricoh GR II Review

The Competition

Compared to Ricoh GR

Pentax K-S2
Ricoh GR
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $799
  • APS-C
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Ricoh GR

Ricoh GR II
Ricoh GR
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $799
  • APS-C

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Ricoh GR

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

Ricoh GR II
Pentax K-500
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II 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

Ricoh GR II
Pentax K-S1
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • NFC
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II 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

Ricoh GR II
Nikon D5500
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Nikon D5500

Compared to Fujifilm XF10

Pentax K-S2
Fujifilm XF10
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Fujifilm XF10

Ricoh GR II
Fujifilm XF10
  • $538
  • APS-C
  • Bigger pixels
  • NFC
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Ricoh GR II vs Fujifilm XF10

Compare Other Cameras?