• APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Samsung NX300 advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    40 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    549g vs 859g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    384k vs 230k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    8.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    7.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Samsung NX300

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    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
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    28 vs 14 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    9 vs 5 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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 Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • 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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Buy the Samsung NX300

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-S2

Review Excerpt

  • Stylish "retro modern" design in two color schemes; attractive 3.3-inch AMOLED tilting touchscreen; new APS-C CMOS sensor with on-chip phase detection AF; better image quality, particularly in low light at high ISOs; faster all-around performance; improved Wi-Fi connectivity.

  • Camera feels more plasticky than expected when you pick it up; slower shot-to-speeds compared to rivals; poor buffer depth with raw files; aggressive anti-noise processing destroys detail in high ISO shots; display smudges easily and is rather dim; no EVF support.

  • 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 Sony NEX-7

Samsung NX300
Sony NEX-7
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-S2
Sony NEX-7
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1248
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compared to Fujifilm X-E1

Samsung NX300
Fujifilm X-E1
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-S2
Fujifilm X-E1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1299
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax K-500

Samsung NX300
Pentax K-500
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
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

Compared to Fujifilm X-E2

Samsung NX300
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-S2
Fujifilm X-E2
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1059
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • On-sensor phase detect

Compared to Pentax K-S1

Samsung NX300
Pentax K-S1
  • $1200
  • APS-C
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Pentax K-S2
Pentax K-S1
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Higher-res screen
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