Nikon D3S vs Pentax K-S2

General	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Brand	Nikon	Pentax
Model	D3S	K-S2
Predecessor Model	Nikon D3	Pentax K-S1
Successor Model	Nikon D4
MSRP		$799/£649 (with 18-50mm WR lens)
Camera Type	Interchangeable Lens	Interchangeable Lens
Body Type	DSLR	DSLR
Video Capture

Sensor	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Sensor Type	CMOS	CMOS
Sensor Format	FX
Sensor Size	Full Frame	APS-C
Sensor Dimensions	36.0 x 23.9 mm	23.5 x 15.6 mm
Total Pixels	12.87 Megapixel	20.42 Megapixel
Effective Pixels	12.1 Megapixel	20.12 Megapixel
Low Pass Filter
Native ISO Range	200 - 12,800	100 - 51,200
Boosted ISO Range	100 - 102,400

Photo	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Processor	EXPEED	PRIME MII
Max Image Resolution	4256 x 2832	5472 x 3648
Other Resolutions	3552 x 2832, 3552 x 2368, 3184 x 2128, 2784 x 1848, 2656 x 1776, 2128 x 1416, 2080 x 1384, 1776 x 1416, 1776 x 1184, 1392 x 920	4224 x 2816, 3072 x 2048, 1920 x 1280
Image Aspect Ratios	5:4, 3:2	3:2
JPEG Quality Levels	Fine, Normal, Basic	Good, better, best
Bit Depth	14-Bit	12-Bit
Timelapse Recording
White Balance	Auto (TTL white balance with main image sensor and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor), 12 Presets with fine tuning, and Manual, P.Color temperature in Kelvin (2500 - 10000 K, 31 steps),P. White balance bracketing (2 to 9 frames in increments of 1, 2 or 3)
WB Bracketing	2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3 EV

Focus	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Autofocus Modes	Multi-area Selective single-point Single Continuous Live View	Multi-area Center Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Face Detection Live View
Lens Servo	Single-Servo AF, Manual Focus	Automatic, Continuous-Servo AF, Single-Servo AF
Number of Focus Points	51	11
Number of Cross-type Focus Points	15
Touch-to-Focus
Live View Autofocus
Animal Eye Detection
Vehicle Tracking Mode
Insect Tracking Mode
Contrast Detection for Autofocus
Phase Detection for Autofocus
Focusing Screen	BriteView Clear Matte VI - Type B

Optics	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Lens Mount	Nikon F	Pentax KAF2
Crop Factor	1x	1.5x
Image Stabilization		Sensor Shift
Digital Image Stabilization
Reflex Mirror	Quick-return type

Screen	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Screen Type	Fixed	Fully Articulated
Screen Technology	Low-temperature polysilicon TFT color LCD	TFT-LCD
Touch Screen
Selfie & Vlogger Friendly LCD Screen
Screen Size	3.0"	3.0"
Screen Resolution	921k dot	921k dot
Top LCD Screen
Live View
Live Composition

Viewfinder	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Viewfinder	Optical (pentaprism)	Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder Coverage	100%	100%
Viewfinder Magnification	0.70x	0.95x
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent)	0.70x	0.63x
Viewfinder Eyepoint		20.5 mm
Diopter Adjustment		-2.5 to +1.5

Shutter	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Shutter Type	Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane
Min Shutter Speed	30 sec	30 sec
Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain)	1/8000 sec	1/6000 sec
Max Continuous Shooting	11.0 fps	5.4 fps
Mirror Lock Up

Flash	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Built-in Flash
Flash Modes	Front curtain Rear curtain Red-Eye Slow Sync	Auto auto w/redeye reduction flash on flash on + redeye reduction slow sync trailing curtain sync manual flash
Flash Range		12.00 m at ISO 100
Max Flash Sync Speed	1/250 sec
External Flash Connectivity
External Flash System	i-TTL Balanced fill-flash, standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR
External Flash Connection	Hot Shoe, PC Terminal ISO 518 standard-type hot shoe contact; Safety lock mechanism provided ISO 519 (PC) Terminal, lock screw provided	Hot Shoe

Exposure	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Exposure Metering Modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot	Multi Center-weighted Spot
Exposure Modes	3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses), Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses), Color Matrix Metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data) Center-Weighted: Weight of 75% given to 12-mm circle in center of frame, diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15 or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 12-mm circle or average of entire frame) Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
Metering Range	0 to +20 EV
Exposure Compensation	±5 EV (1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV increments)	±5 EV (1/3 EV, 1/2 EV increments)
Exposure Bracketing	±3 EV (2, 3, 5, 7 shots at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV increments)	±5 EV (3 shots at 1 EV, 2 EV increments)
Exposure Lock	Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button

DXO	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
DxO Low Light ISO	3253
DxO Color Depth	23.5
DxO Dynamic Range	12.0
DxO Overall Score	82

Video	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Internal Recording Modes	Yes, 1280 x 720p @ 24fps
Interval Recording	With Optional Remote Trigger
Video Formats	Motion JPEG	MPEG-4, H.264
Max Video Resolution	1280 x 720	1920 x 1080
Unlimited Video Recording
Recording Limit		25 min

Terminals	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
USB Speed	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI Output		Micro
Speaker		Mono
Built-in Microphone	Stereo	Stereo
Microphone Input
Headphone Output
Flash Sync Port

Connectivity	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Built-in GPS
Built-In Wi-Fi	optional
Built-In Bluetooth
NFC
Remote Control		wired or via smartphone

Environmental	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Environmental Sealing
Operating Temperature	32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Operating Humidity	0 to 85%

Physical	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Dimensions	160 x 157 x 88 mm (6.3 x 6.18 x 3.46")	91 x 123 x 73 mm (3.58 x 4.84 x 2.87")
Weight (inc. batteries)	1240 g (2.73 lb / 43.74 oz)	678 g (1.49 lb / 23.92 oz)
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)		8.3 x 6.4 x 5"
Package Weight		2.85 lb

Power and Storage	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Battery Pack	EN-EL4a	D-LI109
Battery Life	4200 shots	410 shots
Internal Storage
External Storage	Dual Slot: CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA)	Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)

Other	Nikon D3S	Pentax K-S2
Self Timer	2 to 20 sec	2 or 12 secs
Orientation Sensor
Material of Construction	Magnesium Alloy
Virtual Horizon Camera Indicator

For a full review please go to the review page: