Samsung NX1 vs Pentax K-S2

Cameras
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Samsung NX1 vs Pentax K-S2

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APS-C 369.0mm²
28.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Samsung NX1 Review.
How does it shoot? Samsung NX1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the NX1.
Compare Samsung NX1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Samsung NX1 conclusion.

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.

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Differences

Samsung NX1 advantages over Pentax K-S2

Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) 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
Fast startup
~0.70 vs 1.0 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
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

500 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Higher-res screen
346k vs 230k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
More viewfinder magnification
0.69x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
28.2 vs 20.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Faster JPEG shooting
15.2 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
53 vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
15.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
22 vs 9 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Samsung NX1

Less expensive
$800 vs $2800 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Limited
Better lens selection gives you more options
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 4.29 vs 3.63 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Lighter weight
859g vs 1290g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.12 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré

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
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read NX1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

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Buy the Samsung NX1

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 16-50mm f/2-2.8 S Lens
Kit with 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ Lens

All NX1 Deals

Your purchases support this site

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

Review Excerpt

Very good, high-resolution image quality; Excellent high ISO performance with RAW files; Very good dynamic range; Blazing fast 15fps full-res burst mode; Deep buffer; Great build quality & comfortable ergonomics; Lots of physical controls; Great battery life; Fast single-shot AF.
Continuous AF performance still not as robust as competing DSLRs; Aggressive JPEG noise reduction at high ISOs; JPEG colors and saturation less pleasing at higher ISOs; H.265 video codec can be difficult to work with.
Read our Samsung NX1 Review

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

Samsung NX1

Pentax K-500

$1797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Samsung NX1 vs 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

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Samsung NX1

Pentax K-S1

$1797
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$502
APS-C

Less expensive
Lens selection

Compare Samsung NX1 vs 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

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T2

$1797
APS-C

Touchscreen
Fast startup

$999
APS-C

Lens selection
Thinner

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Pentax K-S2

Fujifilm X-T2

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$999
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Fujifilm X-H1

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-H1

$1797
APS-C

NFC
Longer stills battery life

$1199
APS-C

Lens selection
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-H1

Pentax K-S2

Fujifilm X-H1

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$1199
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Fujifilm X-H1

Compared to Fujifilm X-T3

Samsung NX1

Fujifilm X-T3

$1797
APS-C

Fast startup
NFC

$1299
APS-C

Lens selection
Newer

Compare Samsung NX1 vs Fujifilm X-T3

Pentax K-S2

Fujifilm X-T3

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$1299
APS-C

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Fujifilm X-T3

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