K-S2 & MX-1

Just bought a K-S2 to replace my K-50 and am so glad I decided to splash the cash on this rather than an old K-5.
Camera is so easy to use, AF really fast and a much more silent shutter than the K-50.
I haven´t used the moveable screen, but have it turned around so I can see what I´m doing, only thing missing is the top screen, but overall the K-S2 is superb.
My K-3 has temporarily been relegated to the shelf....

I also won an MX-1 on E-bay for a very good price, in mint condition and almost unused, really nice walkaround camera, quite pleased with the results so far on a very bright sunny day in AV mode.

I need to stop with the CAS as Mrs is getting annoyed....

I would be interested to hear how the AF compares to the K-3.

I sold my K-3 last year but now the airshow season is approaching I am thinking about buying another. If Pentax made a grip for the K-s2 I would buy one in an instant.

It seems as quick as the K-3, certainly not quicker though; but I was really comparing it to the K-50 which was much slower.
I will do some comparisons tonight, but I think we´re talking milli seconds of differance, which I appreciate would obvioulsy be huge for airshows.

The camera isn´t as chunky as the K-3, but is really comfy in the hand , one thing I never experienced though is the strap actually gets in the way occassionally, which could be a nuisance if trying to grab shots of planes etc...saw a video o Youtube where the guy always changes the straps for thinner ones, never had an issue on K-50 or K-3 though.

It feels more differant from the K-3 than the K-50 did, maybe just the finishing on the plastic on the KS-2 is less rubbery feeling, hard to explain, but just minor aesthetic things.

Think once the initial price drops it will be the best value DSLR on the market and hopefully will sell like hotcakes.....

That sounds really promising Bruce. I've just sold my K5 and almost all my lenses. Just about ready to buy a KS-2 but waiting on that price drop which will hopefully come in a month or two.
I think the camera should be a winner for Pentax. Ticks most boxes.

I've just reviewed the K-S2
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-k-s2-dslr-review-27269

Just watched this which gives an assessment of some of it's strengths and weaknesses. I actually like the lights on this one too

Fair to say Digital Rev are not the biggest fans of Pentax but in his unusual sort of way his was quite complimentary about the KS-2. About as much praise as Pentax is likely to get from Kai.

Heading over to read it now John.

I haven't yet but if the K-S2 got less than 5 stars then John didn't really write the review

Edit: Yup, he wrote the review

Thanks John,
But you might have dusted it off for the article shots, and what's the goo across the mirror?
I hope that's not sloppy assembly in the factory...





Also, I think comparing the K-S2 with the K-3 then listing the differences as 'cons' is completely unfair and erroneous. They aren't cons, they are differences when compared to the 'flagship'.. Not the same class of camera at all.
One other thing, in the Specifications it shows;
CCD pixels 20.12Mp (Megapixels)

The K-S2 has a CMOS sensor, not CCD.

Yes I've seen the differences as cons thing quite a bit. There are cheaper cameras that shoot more fps than the K-3, but I doubt that's listed as a con on the K-3.

The top screen is something I find really amusing now, in that I find it quite unnecessary, given there is a much larger screen on the back. The top ones still tend to be 1980s lcd tech also. This is one thing I thought I'd miss that turned out to be a complete non event for me personally.

Issues I see with the K-S2 all relate to me wanting an upgrade camera for the K-30. If you forget that then the K-S2 is todays equivalent and looks the part. The sensor doesn't have an AA filter, but apart from that the internals all look the very similar to a K-30 from 2 years or so ago (same max fps and shutter speed etc).

Has here been any word on a K-3 or K-30/50 upgrade? The K-S2 is apparently an entirely new link, but I can't help but think the K-S2 was supposed to be a K-60, but was pulled across to replace the K-S1 PR failure quickly.

A lot of these 'reviews' are not technical, they are personal opinions and should be treated as such. For example, many people hated the K-S1 and lot's of people are convinced it was a failure. But JR rather liked it a lot.
I doubt the K-S1 was/is a failure or that the K-S2 is a replacement (the K-S1 has not be discontinued), it's just another model in the line-up. It may not have sold as well initially as expected, but then I doubt the K-S2 will either as it's just too expensive.

I'm reminded of the K-01 and the MX-1. Both cameras are enjoying quite a life-after-death experience in that they are probably more popular now than when they were current. I suspect the same will happen with the K-S1.

The product shots were not mine, so I can't comment on those, but the rest was.

Reviews demand some cons, and the only cons really relate to the camera being from the lower cost plastic bodies range rather than the higher priced magnesium alloy range. As far as the camera goes, it's absolutely fine for its purpose , as described. If you want the features that are extra, then the K-3 is the camera, otherwise the KS-2 is my choice for sure.

I am very tempted to buy two for our general use, but the K-5 bodies we have are worth next to nothing and have masses of life left in them.

As far as the model range and camera successors are concerned, from what I've heard about the new strategy, it's that the K-S series (1 and 2 so far) are about ' innovations' and an appeal to a newer, maybe younger, user. Their styling and technologies can be expected to target this user.

The 'just K' series, are more traditional DSLRs that offer a range of prices and levels of sophistications that will offer more traditional photographers a choice.

So the K50 builds on the K30, the k3 follows the K5 before it. The K500 has gone and is not succeeded because its target user market does not really exist any more. They are now either smartphone shooters or will be attracted to the K-S range.

The really significant change I see is that pricing and range is no longer structured around feature sets .... There is now a wide intermingling of technology and features between the ranges. Now the divisions are all about the expected and intended target user ... The cameras and ranges are packaged in a manner that make each one appeal to a specific type of photographer. For example the ' flagship' K models are more the centerpiece of a photographic system with accessories and connections aimed at the pro-end user.

I can't agree with that. The only difference between the K-50 and K-500 is lack of weather sealing and no illuminated focus points. I'd say it was dropped because for little extra money the K-50's weather sealing trumped it at the point-of-sale and was therefore pushed by the salespeople.