• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.2 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200

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Differences

Sony RX100 advantages over Pentax K-S2

  • Less expensive
    $650 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Thinner
    35 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    13 vs 9 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Pentax K-S2 advantages over Sony RX100

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.29 vs 2.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 2.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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 1/2000 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

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

  • Excellent high-ISO performance for such a compact model; Smart controls; Small body; Bright lens; 10fps full-res burst mode; Very fast shutter response; Excellent LCD.

  • Lens flare at night; Poor rendering of yellows; Slow flash recycling; Soft corners wide open; Continuous AF mode slow to lock.

  • Read our Sony RX100 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 RX100 II

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 II
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony RX100 II

Pentax K-S2
Sony RX100 II
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $598
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Sony RX100 II

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Sony RX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Faster RAW shooting
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX100 vs Sony RX100 III

Pentax K-S2
Sony RX100 III
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Sony RX100 III

Compared to Pentax K-500

Sony RX100
Pentax K-500
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Thinner
  • $597
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 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 RX100
Pentax K-S1
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $502
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Sony RX100 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 Canon G7X

Sony RX100
Canon G7X
  • $1074
  • 1 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Sony RX100 vs Canon G7X

Pentax K-S2
Canon G7X
  • $499
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $1239
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Pentax K-S2 vs Canon G7X

Compare Other Cameras?