Review of Pentax K-S2: The Most Powerful DSLR for Beginners!

DSLR photographers tend to be brand loyalists. And always seek out the best point-and-shot digital cameras. Ask a room full of photographers which DSLR brand they prefer, and you're almost guaranteed to spark a heated debate between those loyal to Canon and Nikon. But make no mistake, Pentax DSLR camera owners deserve a voice in the discussion. Advanced Pentax cameras offer many fantastic features just like Canon and Nikon models, such as this Pentax K-S2 DSLR camera review.

Overview of the Pentax K-S2 DSLR Camera

The Pentax K-S2 camera performs exceptionally well in combining automatic and manual control settings, allowing this camera model to function as one of the best DSLRs for beginners. Its user-friendly features will enable you to succeed in your initial steps with the camera, and then as your photography skills improve, you can take advantage of manual control features.

Advantages:

• The body is meticulously finished, providing excellent protection in all weather conditions.
• The image quality is excellent in all lighting conditions.
• The LCD screen is tiltable and flipable.
• Good value for money.

Weaknesses:

• Video quality falls far behind other entry-level DSLRs.
• Only 11 autofocus points, although nine points are cross-type AF points.
• May lack enough advanced features to appeal to anyone other than beginners.
• The continuous shooting mode option could be improved.

Design and Build of Pentax K-S2

During testing the Pentax K-S2, I truly appreciated the feel of this camera. It fits snugly in my hand and its weight is well-balanced when using it with the kit lens. It's also lighter and smaller than most Canon or Nikon cameras, such as the Nikon D810. The kit lens has an aperture of F4-5.6.

The K-S2 is a fast-performing model, and you'll be particularly impressed if you're more accustomed to the best viewfinder and shooters currently available. The Pentax K-S2 model operates especially fast when using the Pentaprism viewfinder, capable of covering 100% of the scene. You can also use the LCD screen to frame the scene, although this 'Live View' mode will slow down the camera's performance. And the LCD screen can rotate out of the camera body while providing 921,000 pixel resolution, equivalent to an impressive display at this price point.

Ricoh, the manufacturer of Pentax-branded cameras, has provided the K-S2 with a traditional mode dial, a feature that some of its predecessors lacked, making this camera easier to use. It also features a well-performing pop-up flash, or you can attach an external flash to its hot shoe.

One reason why Canon and Nikon are popular choices for DSLR photographers is the wide range of interchangeable lenses available to them. Remember from our introductory article – What is a DSLR Camera? – that each DSLR camera has a specific lens mount that only certain lenses will fit. There are fewer lenses available for the Pentax KAF2 mount compared to Canon and Nikon cameras. Although there's a nice collection of lenses for Pentax DSLRs, some photographers lean towards starting with Canon and Nikon DSLRs so that lenses purchased for those entry-level models can later be transitioned to higher-end cameras within the same brand, while still having access to a broader range of lenses.

The weather-sealed body of the Pentax K-S2 is a standout feature, not commonly found in other DSLRs. While this coating doesn't make the K-S2 fully waterproof or usable in heavy rain without additional protection, it provides basic rain resistance.

Image Quality of the Pentax K-S2 DSLR Camera

The K-S2's APS-C image sensor boasts an impressive 20.1 megapixels, a noteworthy figure for any first-time DSLR. The APS-C sensor size is significantly larger than what's found in models on the list of best compact digital cameras, though still smaller than sensors found in advanced DSLRs. The K-S2 has a maximum shutter speed ranging from 1/6000 seconds and a 20 MP CMOS sensor with ISO sensitivity up to 51200. At ISO 1600, users find the camera capable of capturing high-quality and beautifully printed images, even at 13x19-inch prints.

Ricoh has endowed this entry-level DSLR with 11 autofocus points, slightly fewer than most DSLRs on the market. However, nine of the AF points are cross-type, which is more desirable than other types of AF points, allowing the K-S2 to perform well, even achieving sharp focus in low-light scenes. It has a continuous shooting speed of 5.4 frames per second and customizable white balance.

Images taken with the K-S2 kit lens are quite satisfactory, as Ricoh tends to provide fairly decent kit lenses for its Pentax DSLR cameras. You'll still want to upgrade to a more feature-rich and well-built lens at some point, but the kit lens will easily meet the needs of most novice photographers.

You can shoot full HD resolution videos with the K-S2's video mode, but unfortunately, it doesn't offer 4K video resolution. Video quality has never been the strong suit of Pentax DSLR cameras. Although the K-S2 outperforms some older Pentax DSLR models in video capabilities, it still falls short compared to Canon and Nikon models.

The continuous shooting mode option is slightly lower than the average level of the Pentax K-S2 compared to other DSLR cameras. Its memory buffer size limits about 30 JPEG images or approximately 10 RAW images before the camera needs to pause to copy data to the memory card.

Conclusion

If you're looking for some more advanced features in your DSLR camera, the K-S2 may not meet your needs. It's a very basic entry-level DSLR. When comparing the Pentax K-S2 to the K-3, you'll find that the K-3 has a top-panel LCD, more autofocus points, and a larger buffer storage area for more efficient continuous shooting. But the price of around 19 million VND for the body and 18-135mm WR kit lens is extremely appealing, much cheaper than the K-3. In summary, the Pentax K-S2 may not be the top-tier brand camera, but it's certainly a DSLR worth considering if you're starting a photography career.