Originally posted by que es tu considered getting a Nikon but, GLASS PENTAPRISM, DUAL CONTROL WHEELS, WEATHER SEALING, VINTAGE GLASS!!
Right on! The K-S2, as a lightweight, entry-level DSLR is OUTSTANDING to this very day.
Originally posted by que es tu Well, even before I got the KP we “fought” over the KS-2!!
Ha, ha, ha!
There's a website offering an image comparison device I have found sometimes useful. The Imaging Resource "comparometer". It provides two columns in each of which you can bring up different camera models, and select the same image shot with both models for comparison. These are JPEG images right out of the cameras at default settings. It can give an idea of the cameras' capabilities and characteristics. You can, for example, bring up the Pentax K-70 in one column, and the KP in the other. The best image for comparison, from my own experience, is the still life scene containing bottles, fabrics, and other objects. This scene is repeated at various ISO settings to check that difference also. You just select the image you want, doing so with each model. Then click on the image again to open it, then once again to blow it up.
The first thing you might notice with the KP is by comparing the blank back wall, to note its color accuracy, in this case neutrality. You will probably notice the K-70 exhibits a slightly magenta color cast by comparison. This is fairly common among Pentax DSLR bodies, so the KP is exceptional in this regard (as well as in many other ways). Some of the points in this image to check for sharpness include the edge of the basket containing the fabrics for edge and detail sharpness, the bottles and their labels, like the fiddler image, the ancient Greek figure on the Hellas bottle, and the writing on the Samuel Smith bottle, as well as the circular measuring disc. You can check at 100 ISO as a base. Then go on up to ISO 6400 as being the most potentially useable setting for not too much loss of quality, for noise and retention of detail. Check between objects for noise, but the darkness of shadows at the same spot might differ, so you have to find a shadow the same darkness at a different location.
I've found these two cameras are very similar in their excellent low noise performance, with the KP just a tad better in retention of detail and edge sharpness. with the strip of red cloth having the dark leaf pattern, you will find the pattern disappears at higher ISO. This is from the type of noise suppression Pentax uses, and appears to be the main shortcoming of their design, while other detail preservation in the image is superior compared to that of most other brands. With these two camera models, one could even go up to ISO 12,800 or even higher when dealing with more casual subject matter with acceptable results. But when interested in finer quality, it is best to keep to yet lower ISO ratings than ISO 6400.
Keep in mind, these test shots are done at the cameras' default settings. "Fine Sharpening" as I recommend, was not implemented.
If you click on "all cameras" at the top of the column, this will allow you to access previous models, not just current ones. Amazingly, the K-S2 comes in at the top level for color accuracy by Pentax along with the KP!! It does very, very well in other respects also. It loses a bit more detail at ISO 6400 compared to the KP, but it still does a great job! The off-color of the measurement disc is something I have seen occasionally with other models, and I believe it is caused by wayward lighting in that part of the room at certain times. There is no corresponding effect with the whites in other areas of the image. The K-S2 remains my favorite lightweight, inexpensive body. I got mine brand new from B&H in a closeout sale, with the super-compact DA-L 18-50mm zoom lens included for only like 500 bucks!