Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 vs Pentax K-S2

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and the Pentax K-S2, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 was introduced in June 2010 and Pentax K-S2 was introduced in February 2015. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 over Pentax K-S2.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax K-S2 over Sony Alpha DSLR-A290.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a 2.7" Fixed screen with 230k dot resolution and Pentax K-S2 has a 3.0" Fully Articulated screen with 921k dot resolution. Fully articulated screen makes Pentax K-S2 selfie and vlogger friendly and generally very useful for video shooting.

Viewfinder

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinderPentax K-S2 has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has 95% coverage with 0.83x (0.55x 35mm equivalent) magnification and Pentax K-S2 has 100% coverage with 0.95x (0.63x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 features a 14.2 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.6 x 15.8 mm and a total area of 372.9 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200. Pentax K-S2 features a 20.12 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.6 mm and a total area of 243.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 100 - 51,200.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 4592 x 3056 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4592 x 2576, 3408 x 2272, 3408 x 1920, 2288 x 1520, 2288 x 1280 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios. Pentax K-S2 is equipped with PRIME MII processor and can take pictures up to 5472 x 3648 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 4224 x 2816, 3072 x 2048, 1920 x 1280 with 3:2 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has Sony A lens mount and Pentax K-S2 has Pentax K_AF2 lens mount. Due to their APS-C sensor their crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is equal to 1.5x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5.

No Low-Pass Filter on Pentax K-S2

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Pentax K-S2. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

In-Body Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when cameras are paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-S2 has a built-in Wi-Fi which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

NFC on Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-S2 has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) inputs for data transfer. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has an HDMI and Pentax K-S2 has a Micro HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 comes with NP-FH50 battery pack with battery life of 290 shots and Pentax K-S2 comes with D-LI109 battery pack with battery life of 410 shots.

External Storage Slots

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 has a single SD/SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo card slot. Pentax K-S2 has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290, and up to 1/6000 sec on Pentax K-S2. Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 can shoot continuously up to 2.5 fps. Pentax K-S2 can shoot continuously up to 5.4 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash with maximum range of 10.00 m at ISO 100 on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 and 12.00 m at ISO 100 on Pentax K-S2. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/160 sec on Sony Alpha DSLR-A290.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 body has dimensions of 128 x 97 x 86 mm (5.04 x 3.82 x 3.39") and Pentax K-S2 body has dimensions of 91 x 123 x 73 mm (3.58 x 4.84 x 2.87"). Sony Alpha DSLR-A290 weighs 549 g (1.21 lb / 19.37 oz) and Pentax K-S2 weighs 678 g (1.49 lb / 23.92 oz).

Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Pentax K-S2

128 mm

97 mm

91 mm

123 mm

97 mm

123 mm

86 mm

73 mm