Sony RX100 vs Pentax K-S2

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Sony RX100 vs Pentax K-S2

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1 inch 116.2mm²
20.2 megapixels
28.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony RX100 Review.
How does it shoot? Sony RX100 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the RX100.
Compare Sony RX100 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony RX100 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

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

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

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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Read RX100 User Reviews

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Adorama
Read K-S2 User Reviews

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Sony RX100

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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

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

$1095
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

$1095
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

$1095
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

$1095
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

$1095
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

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