Unveiled: Pentax K-S2 DSLR, 18-50mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE Lens, AF201FG Flash

Ricoh Imaging has upgraded the popular Pentax K-S1 digital camera with the new K-S2, adding a slew of features aimed toward those looking to share images easily, take selfies, and edit photos in-camera. Along with the camera is a new 18-50mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE, a compact weather-resistant lens with SP coating, HD PENTAX coating, and Quick-Shift focus, and the AF2014FG flash. The flash is designed for use with Pentax DSLRs, is P-TTL compatible, and has an all-weather construction. While the camera has the same AA filterless 20.1MP CMOS sensor and PRIME M II Image Processing Engine as the K-S1, it adds Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities, an articulating 3.0" LCD screen, a convenient selfie shutter button, and Advanced HDR and Clarity Enhancement Modes. I took the KS-2 on a three-day test drive to try out some of the new functions and see how it handled, under some pretty extreme situations. 

20mm; 1/125 sec. @ f/9; ISO 100

One of the key physical traits of the camera is that the body and lens are both sealed for all-weather shooting. To test this claim, I took the camera out onto the slopes of Windham Mountain, in the Catskills. While shooting outdoors in freezing temperatures and a heavy snowfall, it performed as well as I would expect it to perform indoors. The zoom ring maintained its smooth rotation, and the battery lasted that whole day and night, instead of quickly dying as some batteries tend to do in the cold.

50mm; 1/100 sec. @ f/22; ISO 200

Other capabilities of the Pentax K-S2 include an in-body sensor-shift Shake Reduction system, which will reduce the appearance of camera shake in your final images. Also, this enables the AA Filter Simulator to avoid moiré and aliasing that can appear in certain situations. Additionally, it has the ability to record full HD 1920 x 1080p video at up to 30 fps.

50mm; 1/5 sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 400; Very little distortion at 50mm	18mm; 1/30 sec. @ f/4; ISO 1600; Distortion visible at 18mm

The articulating screen came in handy for shooting low-angle shots, and it flips over so that you can compose a self-portrait. The Wi-Fi button doubles as a “selfie button” to make it easier and more comfortable to take a photo when holding the camera in your left hand with the lens facing you. Another nice physical feature is the addition of a standard selection wheel to choose the shooting modes. One of those shooting modes is the new Auto HDR mode that shoots three bracketed images and then combines them into one image with a high dynamic range. Also new to the K-S2 is the Clarity Enhancement mode, which is Pentax’s in-camera sharpening process.

23mm; 1/8 sec. @ f/4.5; ISO 400	23mm; 1/125 sec. @ f/4.5; ISO 6400

One of the built-in features that I found especially useful was the electronic level indicator, visible in both the viewfinder and the LCD screen. This helps tremendously when shooting landscapes, reducing the need to crop the image after shooting if things aren’t exactly straight. Built-in digital filters let you replace colors, remove colors, or add filters to let you give your photos unique looks in-camera, rather than in post.

18mm; 1/30 sec. @ f/4; ISO 800	18mm; 1/60 sec. @ f/4; ISO 1600

The Wi-Fi and NFC capabilities added to the K-S2 are arguably its biggest improvements over the K-S1. Users looking to post images to social media sites quickly will love the Image Sync App, which not only allows you to upload your images to Facebook, but also displays live view on your smart device and lets you control many of the camera’s functions remotely.

50mm; 1/100 sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 100

The new lens that accompanies the K-S2 is the HD PENTAX DA 18-50mm f/4-5.6 DC WR RE lens, which measures a compact 1.6" when closed. It has a locking button to extend the lens to the shooting position. The shutter remains locked until the lens is set in the 18-50mm range. Ten seals prevent water, moisture, and dust from entering the lens barrel. An HD PENTAX Coating and aspherical lens elements help produce sharp, high-contrast imagery with minimal flare and ghosting.

34mm; 1/500 sec. @ f/4.5; ISO 100	20mm; 1/1000 sec. @ f/4; ISO 100

The K-S2 comes in a variety of color options and kits and will be available as a body only in Black, Black/Orange, or White, as a one-lens kit with the 18-50mm lens in Black, Black/Orange, White, Black with Racing Stripe, White with Racing Stripe, Desert Beige, Forest Green, Stone Gray, Black/Pink, or White/Lime, or as a two-lens kit with the 18-50mm and 50-200mm lenses in Black, Black/Orange, or White.

30mm; 1/20 sec. @ f/4.5; ISO 3200