Pentax K-S2 Hands-On Field Test

Pentax have always made great handling, rugged and well priced DSLRs, but last year's K-S1 was a disappointment. Within a few short months, Pentax has released a followup model. Will this be a return to form for Pentax's mid-range?

Shot and graded by Levi Holwell, edited by Jordan Drake
Shot on the Sony A7S

[jeffpuha]

Unfortunately, there are a few rather nasty comments about the K-S2 below. I would like to remind everyone that this is a camera that has excellent imaging and a lot of features--and it currently goes for $518 WITH the 18-50mm weather-resistant kit lens on Amazon.
I don't think you're going to find another DSLR-lens combo that gives you what this one does for that kind of money. So c'mon. Give it a break
If you want great stills and you're on a tight budget, I think this rig is a winner. Then you can save-up for a better lens or two and have a great system.
Not everyone can afford a Sony A7R II, ya know.

[tptrsn]

That last walk and talk was amazing!  From both the perspectives of Chris's smooth rap, and the camera work -- AMAZING!

[SCRNSHT]

The Color's in this video look fantastic!

[kaihG]

Cant believe it actually handled all that water and mud.

[iLLWiLL]

Great review! Cant wait for you guys to review the Pentax full frame

[alternive]

upping the artistic production is great, the grading not so, but you missed removing one HUGE dust spot there :)

[LS-zqtd]

this camera is a beast. takes the weather, all types. that's why I bought it. love it

[kerhst]

Love the camera work on this video. Nice to see some longer shots being used. Long lenses are not taken advantage of as much as I think they should be for video.

[thejudgehasjudged]

Thanks fellas for reviewing the K-S2. I was interested in where things were going with the new line and you have done a fine job. I'll wait and see how good the FF is before considering a replacement for my K-5II though. Great video review...as always =)

[mlsterlous]

8:53 sure about "same" high iso performance? I see a lot more noise on the left image

[zosxavius]

That was seriously brutal!! Holy F&#*! That limited surely deserves slightly better treatment ;)

Thank you for being such promoters of Pentax. Its a dirty job, but someone has to do it. I guess us Pentaxians can forgive you for hating the KS-1 so much. This camera certainly fixes everything wrong with that camera IMO.

[mattwong]

Just ordered a KS-2 myself and it's funny because while Chris shouldn't have done the weather sealing 'stress test" that he did, it actually just ended up showing how well sealed it is anyway!  I expect to use mine in super humid SE Asia soon, so WR was a must.

[CaptainSixBySix]

I've gotta come down on the negative side of the argument regarding the grading in this video, sorry! Some of the wide shots look like you had a weird white vignette on it?

[AdamLoretz]

Nice work. Some of the dof was nuts and the final stabiliser shot...mwah! The dirt on the lens was a bit of a bugger, but stuff happens! Nice images from the Pentax too

[ransackedroom]

I like how well Chris describes the K-S2's in-body Shake Reduction.

[audiobomber]

No mention of dual control wheels? That feature is unique to Pentax in this class.
IBIS should have been mentioned too.

[DonalLeader]

Still love this camera - can’t wait for the new APSC

[future]

I am really torn between this and the D5500. Looking to shoot with the Sigma 17-50 2.8 and 30 1.4 Art. One huge thing he seemed to miss was the IBIS! Huge for so many kinds of photography. I'm really not feeling the extra weight... truthfully I would probably prefer if this WEREN'T weather sealed to save some grams. But aside from that, if it has the lenses you need this is a solid package. Shame what they did to the K-S1.... should have been a non-weathersealed K-S2. Pentax has a knack for shooting for the moon and missing catastrophically (remember the K-01? Lol). But when they get things right they are on the money. Just wish this thing was lighter.

[DGBomber]

Great video as always guys, Just one thing: I see much more noise in the Pentax high iso shot, am I missing Something? Thank you and keep up the good work :-)

[neikaplay]

Nice review, beautiful video which was interesting to watch but between this and Lori Grunin's very negative review on Cnet's channel I am left confused about buying this camera.