• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 858.0mm2
  • 24.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Sigma fp

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/180 vs 1/30 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sigma fp advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs APS-C
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.98 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • 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
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    5 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    2100k vs 922k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    24.6 vs 20.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    18.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    18.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Higher extended ISO
    102400 vs 51200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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

  • 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

User reviews

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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

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
Sigma fp
Pentax K-500
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash

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
Sigma fp
Pentax K-S1
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon D5500

Pentax K-S2
Nikon D5500
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
Sigma fp
Nikon D5500
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $697
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Sony A7C

Pentax K-S2
Sony A7C
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1598
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Sigma fp
Sony A7C
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Thinner
  • More dots on screen
  • $1598
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sigma fp L

Pentax K-S2
Sigma fp L
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Shoot 4K video
Sigma fp
Sigma fp L
  • $1699
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $2499
  • 35mm
  • More pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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