K-5 II vs K-S2

**Wingincamera** · 06-18-2015, 06:24 PM

I have the K-5 II and have been quite happy with it. Sometimes I wished I had purchased the K-5 IIs because of the lack of anti-aliasing filter. When the K-3 came out I started thinking about buying it, but held off. Now Pentax has the K-S2 which also has no AA filter, plus the articulating LCD. The articulating LCD is what is drawing me to the K-S2. I am wanting to take more low level photos, but with a bad knee it is difficult getting up and down. Usually I just sit or lay on the ground, which is OK unless it's wet outside. But I am concerned about image quality, especially with RAW files. The resolution with either camera body is fine with me, but quality & sharpness is more important.
Has anyone done a comparison between the K-S2 and the K-5 series cameras?

**jpzk** · 06-18-2015, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by Wingincamera

with a bad knee it is difficult getting up and down

... no doubt: get the K-S2 then !

**THoog** · 06-18-2015, 07:49 PM - **1 Like**

I have a K-5II (plain, not IIs), K-01, which has a weak AA filter, and K-S1, with IQ pretty much identical to the K-S2. In good light, the AA-less 20MP sensor has superior IQ, with noticeably more detail. In poor light, there is more ISO noise than the 16MP, but it is of the 'luminance' variety, and cleans up easily in post without loss of detail. Some have described the 20MP's noise as being "film-like". If you are shooting RAW, then you are used to doing some post-processing. As with any new sensor, you'll probably want to tweak your settings and workflow.

severalsnakes · 06-18-2015, 08:22 PM - **1 Like**

What @THoog said.

06-18-2015, 06:24 PM	#1
Wingincamera Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pine Haven, Wyoming Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,182	K-5 II vs K-S2 I have the K-5 II and have been quite happy with it. Sometimes I wished I had purchased the K-5 IIs because of the lack of anti-aliasing filter. When the K-3 came out I started thinking about buying it, but held off. Now Pentax has the K-S2 which also has no AA filter, plus the articulating LCD. The articulating LCD is what is drawing me to the K-S2. I am wanting to take more low level photos, but with a bad knee it is difficult getting up and down. Usually I just sit or lay on the ground, which is OK unless it's wet outside. But I am concerned about image quality, especially with RAW files. The resolution with either camera body is fine with me, but quality & sharpness is more important. Has anyone done a comparison between the K-S2 and the K-5 series cameras?

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06-18-2015, 07:39 PM	#2
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by Wingincamera with a bad knee it is difficult getting up and down ... no doubt: get the K-S2 then !

06-18-2015, 07:49 PM - 1 Like	#3
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	I have a K-5II (plain, not IIs), K-01, which has a weak AA filter, and K-S1, with IQ pretty much identical to the K-S2. In good light, the AA-less 20MP sensor has superior IQ, with noticeably more detail. In poor light, there is more ISO noise than the 16MP, but it is of the 'luminance' variety, and cleans up easily in post without loss of detail. Some have described the 20MP's noise as being "film-like". If you are shooting RAW, then you are used to doing some post-processing. As with any new sensor, you'll probably want to tweak your settings and workflow.

06-18-2015, 08:22 PM - 1 Like	#4
severalsnakes Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Kansas City, KS Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,612	What @THoog said.