As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Pentax K-S2 is also often compared to mirrorless, boutiques, super zooms and pro DSLRs. The Pentax K-S2's top rivals come from Canon (such as the Rebel T4i and the EOS Rebel T6i) and Panasonic (such as the Lumix DMC-G85 and the Lumix DMC-GF8)
Generally, some of the advantages of the Pentax K-S2 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it records higher quality movies (1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps), slightly larger viewfinder (0.62x vs 0.53x), has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), takes much higher resolution photos (20 MP vs 17.9 MP) and has a weather sealed body.
However, on average it has a slightly lower resolution screen (921k dots vs 1,040k dots), doesn't have a touch screen, has much more startup delay (1000 ms vs 300 ms), lacks and external mic jack and slightly fewer lenses available (113 lenses vs 220 lenses).
Generally, some of the advantages of the Pentax K-S2 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs none), has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), slightly higher maximum light sensitivity (51,200 ISO vs 16,000 ISO), has a weather sealed body and records movies in 24p.
However, on average it records higher quality movies (1080p @ 30fps vs 1080p @ 60fps), has a slightly lower resolution screen (921k dots vs 1,400k dots), doesn't have a touch screen, lacks and external mic jack and is slightly larger (prosumer size (91×123×73 mm) vs mid size (120×67×45 mm)).
Generally, some of the advantages of the Pentax K-S2 compared to boutique competitors include: it has a weather sealed body, shoots faster continuously (5.4 fps vs 1.9 fps), has a significantly longer battery life (410 shots vs 250 shots), focuses automatically (phase detection vs contrast detection) and is newer (february 2015 vs january 2012).
However, on average it has a slightly smaller screen (3" vs 3.2"), has a significantly lower resolution screen (921k dots vs 2,360k dots), has worse image stabilization (sensor shift vs lens), takes slightly lower resolution photos (20 MP vs 51.1 MP) and doesn't have a touch screen.
Generally, some of the advantages of the Pentax K-S2 compared to super zoom competitors include: it is significantly smaller (prosumer size (91×123×73 mm) vs large (140×103×137 mm)), takes slightly higher resolution photos (20 MP vs 9.7 MP), much higher maximum light sensitivity (51,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO), has a weather sealed body and much larger viewfinder (0.62x vs 0.26x).
However, on average it has worse image stabilization (sensor shift vs lens), doesn't shoot as fast continuously (5.4 fps vs 12 fps) and lacks and external mic jack.
Generally, some of the advantages of the Pentax K-S2 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it records higher quality movies (1080p @ 30fps vs none), has a much larger screen (3" vs 1.8"), has a slightly higher resolution screen (921k dots vs 180k dots), has image stabilization (sensor shift vs none) and takes much higher resolution photos (20 MP vs 6 MP).
However, on average it doesn't have a touch screen, has much more startup delay (1000 ms vs 700 ms), lacks and external mic jack, has much more shutter lag (124 ms vs 75 ms) and slightly fewer lenses available (113 lenses vs 220 lenses).
