Pentax K-S2 Officially Announced

Weather-sealed DSLR with built-in Wi-Fi and articulating screen

By PF Staff in Pentax Announcements on Feb 9, 2015

Today Ricoh Imaging has officially announced the 20-megapixel Pentax K-S2, a modernized weather-sealed DSLR slated to replace the Pentax K-50.  The K-S2 is the first Pentax DSLR to feature built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and a vari-angle articulating LCD screen.  In addition to debuting these new features, the K-S2 has also been fitted with the low-light autofocus capabilities of the Pentax K-5 IIs that will allow it to focus in near darkness.  Like other Pentax DSLRs, the K-S2 features in-camera Shake Reduction which can be used to stabilize any lens, including legacy glass.

The camera body will be available at a competitive sticker price of $699/£549 while the 18-50mm lens kit will retail for $799/£649.  It is expected to start shipping in March.

Pre-Order Links

Pentax K-S2 with 18-50mm Kit LensPentax K-S2 with SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE

The K-S2 is being marketed as the "world's smallest dust-proof, weather-resistant DSLR camera".  While its large grip in the product photos may lead you to believe otherwise, the K-S2 is in fact 7mm narrower and 5.5mm shorter than the next-smallest Pentax, the previous-generation K-50.  The K-S2's loaded weight of 668g does make it marginally heavier than the K-50, however.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/p1513/K-S2_weather_sealing.jpgPentax K-S2 Weather Sealing

Based on its specifications, the K-S2 seems like the perfect camera for photographers who demand good image quality, advanced features, and modern connectivity.  It is a great upgrade path for users of the Pentax K-30, K-50, or legacy DSLRs.  Users of the Pentax K-5 series may also wish to consider this camera if a slightly slower burst speed is acceptable.  Users of Canon Rebel bodies or the Nikon D3000 series of DSLRs may likewise find the Pentax K-S2 to be a very worthwhile upgrade.  We see it as an upper entry-level/mid-range body.

Pentax K-S2 White (Top View)White Pentax K-S2 with Collapsed Kit Lens

Another exciting aspect of the Pentax K-S2 is its new kit lens.  The camera will ship with the SMC Pentax-DA L 18-50mm DC WR RE which features not only weather sealing and a silent AF motor, but also a collapsible design for easier storage.  We are particularly excited to see that a silent-focusing Pentax kit lens has finally hit the market.  Note that a standalone version of this lens will also be available: the HD Pentax-DA 18-50mm DC WR RE.  This more expensive variant will come with a lens hood and Pentax's premium HD lens coating.

Pentax K-S2 BackPentax K-S2 Back with LCD Folded Outward

Similar to the Pentax K-S1 (which can now be considered as the entry-level DSLR offering), the K-S2 will be available in a variety of colors from three different collections. The camera's exterior design includes a handful of decorative accents and LEDs to spice up the its appearance without making it look overly flashy.  Fortunately, the interface of the K-S2 has also returned to a more traditional format and it has been fitted with two e-dials and an electronic level.  In addition, the K-S2 features new in-camera image procession options, including a JPEG "clarity enhancement" setting and an auto HDR mode dial setting.

Commentary

The K-S2 looks like yet another slam-dunk product launched by Ricoh Imaging.  Although perhaps a little late to the party given the fact that the competition has been offering wireless connectivity for over a year and tilting screens for many years, it's still the first sub-$1000 weather-sealed DSLR with Wi-Fi, and its US launch price of $699 is very competitive. Plus, it also brings unique features to the table, such as the AA filter simulator and in-body Shake Reduction which can not only stabilize any lens, but also make any lens act as a shift lens!  The camera's 100%-coverage viewfinder with 0.95% magnification continues to be best-in-class.  Thus, the K-S2 promises to be an exceptional camera for quality stills, out-shined only by the high-end Pentax K-3 and comparable flagship APS-C cameras.

We are very happy to see that Ricoh has implemented nearly all of the suggestions that our editorial staff had in mind when reviewing the K-S1, including the addition of an articulating LCD, native Wi-Fi, a weather-sealed body with dual control wheels, and a silent-focusing kit lens.  The K-S2 thus presents itself as a much more serious camera and we believe it will become at least as popular as previous models such as the K-30 or K-50.

The K-S2's video mode appears to be very similar to that of the K-S1, although an external microphone port has thankfully been added.  The video capabilities themselves are comparable to Canon and Nikon entry-level bodies; however, similarly-priced cameras such as the Nikon D5500 outshine it in terms of focusing and frame rate capabilities.  The K-S2 continues to only support electronic video stabilization, which is inferior to the competition's optical lens stabilization, or even Pentax's legacy in-camera video stabilization.  Regardless, the functionality offered by this new Pentax continues to be more than enough for everyday video recording and we are confident that it will please all but the most demanding users.

Pentax K-S2 Specifications

The table below compares the Pentax K-S2 to the Pentax K-S1, the current entry-level model.  As you can see, the K-S2 is a direct upgrade over the K-S1: it makes no compromises on a technical level and includes many new features.

[Show Specifications]

Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S1

Launched Feb 2015 Aug 2014
Launch Price (UK) £649 (18-50mm WR kit)
£549 (body only)

£599 (18-55mm kit)
£549 (body only)

Launch Price (USA) $799 (18-50mm WR kit)
$699 (body only)

$799 (18-55mm kit)
$749 (body only)

USA Price (2/2015) $649 (18-55mm kit)
$599 (body only)
Sensor
Resolution

20.12 megapixels
(5472 x 3648 px)

No AA filter
Hardware moire suppression
("AA Filter Simulator")

Sensor Size 15.6 x 23.5mm (APS-C)
ISO Range 100-51,200
Stabilization Mechanical Sensor-Shift Shake Reduction (SR)
SR Features Stabilization
Composition Adjustment
Astrotracer (w/O-GPS1)
Stabliziation
Dust Removal Yes (DR)
CPU PRIME M II
Image Capture
Shooting Modes

P, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, M, B
Auto-Pict, Advanced-HDR
Scene modes

P, Sv, Av, Tv, TAv, M, B
Auto-Pict, Effect
Scene modes

Shutter Speeds 30s - 1/6000s
File formats DNG RAW, PEF RAW (12-bit)
JPEG
Electronic Level Yes No
Exposure Compensation +/- 5EV
Continuous Shooting Hi: 5.4 fps up to 20 JPG, 5 RAW
Lo: 3 fps up to 100 frames JPG, 8 RAW
AF System SAFOX X
11 focus points
SAFOX IXi+
11 focus points
AF Modes AF.A, AF.S, AF.C
AF Operating Range -3 to 18 EV -1 to 18 EV
Metering System 77-segment metering
0 to 22 EV
Lens Compatibility

All genuine Pentax K-mount lenses since 1975
Most third-party K-mount lenses

With adapter: M42 lenses

Lenses with an aperture ring but no "A" setting require stop-down metering

Flash
Built-In Flash GN 12 (ISO 100) GN 10 (ISO 100)
Flash Sync. Speed 1/180s
Hot Shoe Yes
Movie Mode
Resolution/Framerates 1920x1080p @ 30/25/24 FPS
1280x720p @ 60/50 FPS
4k @ Interval Movie
1920x1080p @ 30/25/24 FPS
1280x720p @ 60/50 FPS
File format H.264 MOV
Exposure Modes P, M, Av, TAv

Focus Peaking

Not available during recording
AF During Recording On demand via AF button
Stabilization Electronic
HDMI Yes
Built-in Microphone Stereo
External Microphone Yes N/A
Interface
Control Wheels 2 1
Optical Viewfinder 100% coverage
0.95x magnification
LCD Screen 3.0", 921k dots
3:2 aspect ratio
Vari-angle
3.0", 921k dots
3:2 aspect ratio
Focus Peaking Yes
IR Remote Ports 1 (front) 1 (front)
Customization AF Button
Green Button
E-dial
LEDs
General
Lens Mount Pentax KAF2 Mount
Media Slot 1x SD, SDHC, or SDXC card
UHS-I compatible
1x SD, SDHC, or SDXC card
Connectivity

Mini HDMI, USB2, Eye-Fi, IR (1)
Native Wi-Fi remote control
NFC

Mini HDMI, USB2, Eye-Fi, IR (1)
O-FC1 FluCard Remote Control
Body Material
Plastic
Weather Sealed Yes No
Dimensions (WxHxD) 122.5 x 91.0 x 72.5 mm 120 x 92.5 x 69.5 mm
Battery Life ~480 shots
Battery Model D-LI 109 (included)
Weight (Loaded) 668 g 558 g
Origin Assembled in the Philippines

Color Options

The Pentax K-S2 will be available in a total of 10 different colors: 3 standard variants, 3 as part of a special "nature collection", and 4 as part of a special "sport collection".  Refer to the photos below for the color schemes.

K-S2 Standard ColorsStandard Colors: Black, White, Black/Orange

http://www.pentaxforums.com/content/uploads/files/1/p1513/nature_collection_K-s2_small.jpgNature Collection: Forest Green, Desert Beige, Stone Gray

Pentax K-S2 Sport CollectionSport Collection: White/Lime, Black/Pink, White/Racing Stripe, Black/Racing Stripe

Kit Options

In the three standard colors, the Pentax K-S2 will be available as a body only, in a kit with the DA L 18-50mm, in a kit with the DA L 18-50mm WR and DA L 50-200mm WR, and in a kit with the premium DA 18-135mm WR kit lens.  All three of these lenses feature weather sealing.

Pentax K-S2 with 18-135mm LensPentax K-S2 with DA 18-135mm Premium Kit Lens

The seven special color options will only be available in 18-50mm lens kits.

Product Photos

Click on any thumbnail in the grid below for a larger view.


Black

Black

White

White

White

Stone Gray

Black/Orange

Black/Orange

Press Release

[Show Press Release]

February 10, 2015

PENTAX K-S2
The world’s smallest dustproof, weather-resistant digital SLR camera with a variable-angle LCD monitor, wireless LAN and NFC functions, available in multiple colours.

RICOH IMAGING is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX K-S2 digital SLR camera. It provides outstanding imaging performance that rivals high-end models and incorporates a wide range of features that will come in handy with different shooting scenarios, in a compact, dustproof, weather-resistant body and a variable-angle LCD monitor.
Developed as the new upper-class model, the PENTAX K-S2 is the world’s smallest dustproof, weather-resistant digital SLR camera* designed for active, outdoor shooting. In addition to the PENTAX-original SAFOX X autofocus system, which performs superbly with poorly illuminated and moving subjects, it provides a full range of advanced features rivaling those of high-end models, including: an AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator to assure the same level of moiré-reduction effect as an optical AA filter; an optical viewfinder with a glass pentaprism to provide a nearly 100% field of view; an in-body shake reduction mechanism; and a top sensitivity of ISO 51200. It also provides remote shooting functions and wireless LAN and NFC functions to make it easier to communicate with smartphones and tablets. This model is offered in a choice of three main body colors: black, white and black & orange. In addition, the color order service offers a choice of seven color options in two outdoor-themed collections: three in the Field Collection, and four in the Sports Collection. Users can order their favorite models through the color order service.
RICOH IMAGING has also developed the smc PENTAX-DA L 18-50mm F4-5.6 DC WR RE standard zoom lens as an exclusive lens for the PENTAX K-S2 lens kits. This weather-resistant lens features a retractable mechanism to make it compact and portable without sacrificing optical performance. By pairing this lens with the compact K-S2 camera body, the user is assured of a highly portable digital imaging system that performs marvelously in a variety of outdoor scenes.
* The world’s smallest model in the dustproof, weather-resistant digital SLR camera category (as of February 1, 2015, based on RICOH IMAGING research)

Main Features

1. The world’s smallest dustproof, weather-resistant body*
The K-S2 camera body is not only designed to be compact and portable, but also dustproof and weather-resistant. One hundred seals have been applied to crucial parts of the body to prevent the intrusion of rain and dust into the interior, making the K-S2 a perfect choice for a wide range of outdoor activities, including mountain climbing, camping and sports events. Included in its lens kits is a super-compact zoom lens, with a length of just 41 millimeters in the stored position despite its weather-resistant construction. The combination of the K-S2 camera body and this lens creates a highly portable digital imaging system.

* The world’s smallest model in the dustproof, weather-resistant digital SLR camera category (as of February 1, 2015, based on RICOH IMAGING research)

2. Variable-angle LCD monitor for easy image viewing
The K-S2 comes equipped with an Air Gapless LCD monitor, which has a special resin layer applied between the protective panel and the LCD screen to effectively cut down the reflection and dispersion of light and assure excellent visibility. This monitor also features a variable-angle design for the first time in a PENTAX digital SLR camera, allowing the user to set the monitor to the desired viewing angle and simplify high- and low-angle shootings. By rotating the monitor 180 degrees to face the subject, the user can activate the self-portrait shutter button, which is provided in addition to the regular shutter-release button, to keep a firm hold of the camera when shooting self portraits.

3. High-precision autofocus system with SAFOX X module
The K-S2 features the state-of-the-art SAFOX X AF sensor module, which assures responsive, high-precision autofocus operation. With its 11 sensors including nine cross-type sensors in the middle, this AF system assures pinpoint focus on a subject at a minimum brightness level of as low as –3 EV. Its select-area expansion function ensures that the sensor module keeps tracking a moving subject, even when the subject moves out of a pre-assigned auto-tracking area, by assessing the distance data collected by neighboring focus sensors. Its AF hold function maintains the in-focus position, even when the AF system loses track of the subject after once capturing it in focus. These advanced functions combine to improve the camera's accuracy in the detection of moving subjects.

4. High-resolution images produced by an image sensor with approximately 20.12 effective megapixels and a super-high sensitivity of ISO51200
The K-S2 features a high-performance CMOS image sensor with approximately 20.12 effective megapixels to deliver super-high-resolution images. It is also designed without an optical AA (anti-aliasing) filter to optimize the imaging power of its high-performance image sensor. By coupling this image sensor with the high-performance PRIME MII imaging engine, the K-S2 delivers true-to-life, fine-gradation images by effectively minimizing noise at all sensitivity levels, even during super-high-sensitivity shooting at ISO 51200.

5. In-body shake reduction (SR) mechanism, and anti-aliasing (AA) filter simulator for effective moiré reduction
(1)In-body SR mechanism
The K-S2 features a PENTAX-developed SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism to effectively minimize camera shake and assure sharp, blur-free images, even in camera-shake-prone conditions such as when using a telephoto lens, shooting low-light scenes with incident light only, or photographing sunset scenes.
(2)Innovative AA (anti-aliasing) filter simulator**
By applying microscopic vibrations to the image sensor unit at the sub-pixel level during image exposure, the K-S2’s AA filter simulator provides the same level of moiré-reduction effect as an optical AA filter. Unlike an optical AA filter, which always creates the identical result, this innovative simulator lets you not only switch the AA filter effect on and off, but also adjust the level of the effect, so the user can effortlessly apply the desired effect to a particular scene or subject.
(3)Supportive shooting functions
The K-S2’s SR unit has a flexible design that tilts the image sensor unit in all direction, by shifting it horizontally (left/right) and vertically (up/down), and even rotating it. Taking advantage of this flexibility, the K-S2 provides a host of handy shooting functions, including ASTRO TRACER, which simplifies advanced astronomical photography in combination with the optional O-GPS1 GPS Unit.

** This function is most effective with a shutter speed of 1/1000 second or slower. This function is not available during HDR (High Dynamic Range) shooting.

6. Optical viewfinder with nearly 100-percent field of view
Despite its compact body, the K-S2 is equipped with a glass prism finder featuring the same optics and coatings as those used in higher-level models. With a magnification of approximately 0.95 times, it provides a broad, bright image field for easy focusing and framing.

7. High-speed shutter to capture fast-moving subjects in crisp focus
The K-S2 provides a top shutter speed of 1/6000 second to assure sharply focused images, even with fast-moving subjects. Coupled with its high-speed continuous shooting function with a top speed of approximately 5.5 images per second, it lets the photographer freeze once-in-a-lifetime shutter opportunities in beautifully focused images.

8. Wireless LAN compatibility for easy access to smartphones, for the first time in the PENTAX K series
The K-S2 features wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) functions to provide better access to smartphones and tablet computers. It also provides NFC (Near Field Communication) functions for easy pairing with NFC-compatible smartphones and other communications devices, simply by bringing the K-S2 into proximity with a target device. Also by installing the newly developed, exclusive Image Sync application on a communications device, the user can effortlessly control the K-S2’s aperture, shutter-speed and ISO-sensitivity settings, release its shutter, check the live-view image, and even browse and upload recorded images onto SNS sites such as Facebook remotely.


9. RICOH-original image-processing technologies
The K-S2 features a Clarity Enhancement — a RICOH-developed imaging technology designed to capture the subject’s texture and unevenness more truthfully and produce a more true-to-life depiction of the subject based on the human visual characteristics. Also provided on the mode dial is a new A-HDR (Advanced HDR) position, which combines the Clarity Enhancement with the conventional HDR mode that composites a single, extra-wide-gradation image from three images taken at differing exposures. Thanks to this new mode, the user can capture more dramatic, painting-like HDR images with great ease.

10. An assortment of photo-shooting tools for creative, personalized expressions
The K-S2 provides a choice of 11 Custom Image modes for flexible control of various parameters, as well as nine digital filters. Coupled with 19 distinctive Scene Modes and the hands-off Auto Picture mode, the K-S2 assures simple, quick selection of the desired shooting mode for a given scene or subject.

11. Dual electronic dials
The K-S2 provides a pair of electronic dials: one on top of the grip, and another on the back panel. In the P (Program) mode shooting, for instance, the user can control the aperture and shutter-speed settings independently using these dials, allowing more intuitive camera operation without the need to remove the eye from the viewfinder.

12. Full HD movie recording
Equipped with a built-in stereo microphone, the K-S2 captures beautiful Full HD movie clips (1920 x 1080 pixels; 30/25/24 frame rate) in the H.264 recording format, along with natural, lively stereo sound. It also assures flawless, high-quality movies even with fast-moving subjects. It even provides advanced movie functions, such as a 4K Interval Movie mode that connects still images recorded at a certain interval to create a single movie file, and a Star Stream mode to fade in and out the traces of stars to recorded movies.

13. Other features
·77-segment, multi-pattern metering system for high-precision light measurement
·DR (Dust Removal) mechanism for effective elimination of dust on the CMOS image sensor using ultrasonic vibration
·Self-timer functions usable in continuous shooting mode

Main features of the smc PENTAX-DA L 18-50mmF4-5.6 DC WR RE zoom lens
1. Ultra-thin standard zoom lens with a retractable storage mechanism, with a focal-length coverage between 27.5mm and 76.5mm in the 35mm format
2. Reliable weather-resistant construction for use in the rain or mist, or at locations prone to water splashes and spray

Outline of PENTAX K-S2 color order service
Model:    PENTAX K-S2 digital SLR camera
Body color:    
• Nature Collection (3): Forest Green, Desert Beige, Stone Gray
• Sports Collection (4): White x Lime, Black x Pink, White x Racing Stripe, Black x Racing Stripe
Product lineup:  
• Lens Kit (camera body with smc PENTAX-DA L 18-50mmF4-5.6 DC WR RE lens)
   
Note: The specifications of camera bodies and lenses are identical to those of standard models.
Note: All lenses included in these kits are black models.

What do you think of this camera? Leave your comments below!

You can also discuss this camera in our dedicated Pentax K-S1 & K-S2 forum.

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