Sony DSLR-A560 vs Pentax K-S2

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Sony DSLR-A560 vs Pentax K-S2

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A560 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A560.

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

Sony DSLR-A560 advantages over Pentax K-S2

Bigger pixels
~ 5.16 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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
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

1050 vs 410 shots
Capture more photos
More AF points
15 vs 11
More AF points improve autofocus
Faster JPEG shooting
7.1 fps vs 5.2 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Sony DSLR-A560

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
More cross-type AF points
9 vs 3
Cross-type AF points improve autofocus performance
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
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 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.53x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.1 vs 14.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bigger JPEG buffer
28 vs 13 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

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Buy the Sony DSLR-A560

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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

Read our Sony DSLR-A560 Full 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 Sony DSLR-A500

Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500

$750
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
More cross-type AF points

$850
APS-C

Fast startup
Less shutter lag

Compare Sony DSLR-A560 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Pentax K-S2

Sony DSLR-A500

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$850
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Sony DSLR-A500

Compared to Nikon D5100

Sony DSLR-A560

Nikon D5100

$750
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
In-camera panoramas

$650
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Sony DSLR-A560 vs Nikon D5100

Pentax K-S2

Nikon D5100

$499
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$650
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Sony A57

Sony DSLR-A560

Sony A57

$750
APS-C

Longer stills battery life

$800
APS-C

Focus peaking
Shoots 24p video

Compare Sony DSLR-A560 vs Sony A57

Pentax K-S2

Sony A57

$499
APS-C

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$800
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Sony A57

Compared to Pentax K-500

Sony DSLR-A560

Pentax K-500

$750
APS-C

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

$597
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A560 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

Sony DSLR-A560

Pentax K-S1

$750
APS-C

Bigger pixels
In-camera panoramas

$502
APS-C

Lens selection
Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A560 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

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