Am I crazy for still wanting the K-S2?

The camera was released about 2 years ago and the K-70 is out for a couple of months bringing what we thought high end specs (pixel shift) to enthusiast level. Something similar when we learned that the K-S2 also has AA filter simulations.

I just sold my K-5ii's and now I am about to let go my K-30... I am more inclined into smaller camera as I am now a member ot the #Dadlife,

On the lens department, I intend to keep only "trinity" 21/35/70. but a WR zoom is nice perhaps a 16-85 f3.5-5.6 and not the compact WR RE kit lens to cover everything.

What I am really frustrated with this K-XX model is their appalling battery (too small for enthusiast, imho)

Is my choice sensible?

I have the K-3 and K-5 also the K-S2.

I like the K-S2 because i can share the photos quickly to our relatives through built-in WiFi, Tilt/swivel screen, weather sealed and small body.

I use K-S2 and carry a spare battery.  Usually enough to last me a day of family event shooting.

batteries are cheap and pentax does well with 3rd party batteries so go for that if battery life is your main flaw

if you like a certain model go for it.  shoot with what makes you happy not me.

wed7 wrote:

The camera was released about 2 years ago and the K-70 is out for a couple of months bringing what we thought high end specs (pixel shift) to enthusiast level. Something similar when we learned that the K-S2 also has AA filter simulations.

I just sold my K-5ii's and now I am about to let go my K-30... I am more inclined into smaller camera as I am now a member ot the #Dadlife,

On the lens department, I intend to keep only "trinity" 21/35/70. but a WR zoom is nice perhaps a 16-85 f3.5-5.6 and not the compact WR RE kit lens to cover everything.

What I am really frustrated with this K-XX model is their appalling battery (too small for enthusiast, imho)

Is my choice sensible?

I was very keen to buy the K-S2 but ended up getting the K-70. I did handle the K-S2 and really loved it.

I am now thinking of selling my K-5IIs too so, If you don't mind me asking, what are the K-5IIs worth on the markek? Mine has done less than 6000 photos.

Thank you and enjoy the K-S2 if you get one!

Regards,

Ben

robbo d wrote:

Ben

I had a look on gumtree and ebay the other night and not a whole lot for sale.... one or two of each model plus a whole lot of old lenses.

Given they were about $1400 new and gear drops in value i think most people look for far too much for used k5 k7 etc ....

Asking 900 plus for a three gen old model is a bit steep but if you can find the right buyer.....

Do you have a battery grip to go with it?

Hi Rob,

I put it on Gumtree this afternoon, body and 18-55 DAL WR for much less than 900...see how we go.

I really love the K-5IIs but, since I now have the K-70, I can't justify having it as a back camera for what I do. Also my daughter uses the K-50 very rarely so I could always borrow it if I need to.

No, I don't have the battery grip.

Cheers,

Ben

Benoz wrote:

wed7 wrote:

The camera was released about 2 years ago and the K-70 is out for a couple of months bringing what we thought high end specs (pixel shift) to enthusiast level. Something similar when we learned that the K-S2 also has AA filter simulations.

I just sold my K-5ii's and now I am about to let go my K-30... I am more inclined into smaller camera as I am now a member ot the #Dadlife,

On the lens department, I intend to keep only "trinity" 21/35/70. but a WR zoom is nice perhaps a 16-85 f3.5-5.6 and not the compact WR RE kit lens to cover everything.

What I am really frustrated with this K-XX model is their appalling battery (too small for enthusiast, imho)

Is my choice sensible?

I was very keen to buy the K-S2 but ended up getting the K-70. I did handle the K-S2 and really loved it.

I am now thinking of selling my K-5IIs too so, If you don't mind me asking, what are the K-5IIs worth on the markek? Mine has done less than 6000 photos.

Thank you and enjoy the K-S2 if you get one!

Regards,

Ben

I think $300-$350 USD is about the going price for used K5iis.

ronniemac wrote:

wed7 wrote:

The camera was released about 2 years ago and the K-70 is out for a couple of months bringing what we thought high end specs (pixel shift) to enthusiast level. Something similar when we learned that the K-S2 also has AA filter simulations.

I just sold my K-5ii's and now I am about to let go my K-30... I am more inclined into smaller camera as I am now a member ot the #Dadlife,

On the lens department, I intend to keep only "trinity" 21/35/70. but a WR zoom is nice perhaps a 16-85 f3.5-5.6 and not the compact WR RE kit lens to cover everything.

What I am really frustrated with this K-XX model is their appalling battery (too small for enthusiast, imho)

Is my choice sensible?*

In answer to this last *question, not really. I mean, if you as asking which is the better camera, for four obvious reasons, the K-70 is better than the K-S2;

1. pixel shift vs no pixel shift,
2. RAW 14 bit vs RAW 12 bit
3. 24 Mp vs. 20 Mp.
4. Prime M II vs Prime M

I think that in most other respects they are quite similar, but with some nice tweaks on the K-70.

I have a K-S2 and I really do like it - it is a delight to use. I bought it as a lightweight companion to my K-3 II which is a fantastic camera. The critical factor in advising you get a K-70 is that is takes some of the excellent features of the K-3 II and wraps them up in a lightweight compact body with articulating screen. From what I can deduce, I would find it difficult to justify having a K-3 II if I already had a K- 70, it really sounds that good.

If funds are limited, the K-S2 will save you approx $150 if buying new, more if buying used. That would be the only reason to go for K-S2, but despite what I say, I am sure that you would be more than happy with the K-S2 in comparison with the K-30 you are currently using. Do note however that the higher resolution cameras do loose out a little in terms of low light performance & high iso noise relative to the 16 Mp K-5ii and K-30, but in my opinion, this is a pixel peepers observation rather than a real issue.

In my area, the price difference between a K-S2 + lens vs. K-70 is about $200 or more if I opted not to get the WR RE kit lens (assuming this price difference can help me fund for the 16-85)

As for batteries, it is probably better than most of the mirrorless offerings, but in any case this need not be an issue. I never hesitate to buy a second battery, actually I have 3 and more than that for my K-3 II, therefore never run out of power. If you buy a reputable third party battery, this is not an expensive extra in the grand scheme of things.

I always like the idea of having the AA adapter since K-r days but nowadays I prefer to use lithium ions since it less clutter imho. So I bought some extra.

On lenses, I have to agree with you about the 18-50 RW, I think it is a shoddy little lens in terms of construction and handling in comparison to what I read about the 16-85 which is very highly rated. I have the former, not the latter. I also have an 18-135 but find it rather soft at the long end so agree with your 16-85 choice. You need no persuasion about the DA Limiteds, lovely babes these!

local price of 16-85 here is $640

For a comparison between K-S2 and K-70 specs, and a comprehensive review go to: Pentax Forums and in particular to the third page.

I think I need to go mall and hold both camera, although I am really looking for a smaller camera do you think the overall size / bulk difference is not that much.

I have a close friend who has a K-S2 (bought at least in part on my recommendation, so I am really glad it is working out for her), and I have used it enough to have at least a passing familiarity with it.  It is definitely a very nice little camera with many useful features, including an articulating screen.  It is absolutely a better camera than a K-30 (had one of those and liked it until it died of the Black Screen a little more than a year ago).  I considered replacing my K-30 with a K-S2  at the time and still might do so if I find a used one at a great price.

But for now I am 100% content with my K-5iis, which I like better than the K-S2 in every way.  I can't imagine selling it and replacing it with any crop sensor Pentax currently on the market, although adding a second body either up or down the scale is always a possibility.  I just feel this camera is in a sweet spot for size/weight, features, handling, toughness and output-- if I dropped it in a lake (or today, on the ice) I would almost certainly replace it with a secondhand copy of the same body rather than change.