Canon EOS 77D vs Pentax K-S2 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Canon · DSLR · 24.2 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Canon EOS 77D
63
SCORE
|
Pentax · DSLR · 20 MP · APS-C · Full HD video
Pentax K-S2
66
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Canon EOS 77D and the Pentax K-S2 are both APS-C DSLRs, but they lead into different lens systems. The 2017 77D uses the Canon EF-S mount, while the 2015 K-S2 uses the Pentax KAF2 mount, shaping every future lens purchase. Both use an APS-C CMOS sensor, so lenses frame the same way on either body. The bodies measure differently: 131 x 100 x 76 mm and 765 g for the 77D against 91 x 123 x 73 mm and 678 g for the K-S2. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2017 | 2015 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 15, 2017 | March 2, 2015 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 131 x 100 x 76 mm | 91 x 123 x 73 mm |
| Camera weight | 765 g | 678 g |
| Optics | 64/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe 77D is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 24.2 megapixels against 20 on the K-S2, useful when a distant bird fills only part of the frame. Its 45 autofocus points give more placement options than the K-S2's 11, and its 6 fps maximum burst edges the K-S2's 5.4 fps. The K-S2 answers with in-body stabilisation, steadying handheld shots with unstabilised lenses, which the 77D lacks. It also reaches 1/6000 second rather than 1/4000 for shorter exposures, and it views through a pentaprism rather than the 77D's pentamirror. Both start at 100 ISO, and the K-S2's native ceiling is 51200 ISO against the 77D's 25600. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
24.2 MP050 | 20 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
6000 x 4000 | 5472 x 3648 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
14.9 x 22.3 | 23.5 x 15.6 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 APS-C | APS-C |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
6 fps045 | 5.4 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Canon EF-S | Pentax KAF2 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Digic 7 | Prime MII |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
5030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
512003003280000 | 512003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 3044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 600080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
450300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
No |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentamirror) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFor HD video both cameras offer the same limits, Full HD maximum resolution and a 60 fps top frame rate, for family clips and slowed-down action. Each also has a built-in interval timer for timelapse sequences. The practical difference is file handling. The 77D records in MOV and MP4, while the K-S2 records in MPEG-4 and MOV, so match the camera to your workflow. If you need 4K, neither provides it. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MP4 | MPEG-4, MOV |
| Features | 70/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe K-S2 is the better pick for shooting outdoors in poor weather, with weather sealing the 77D lacks, plus built-in GPS that tags travel photos with location data. The 77D counters with a touchscreen on its 3-inch LCD, which speeds focus placement and menu changes, while the K-S2 screen is not touch-sensitive. The 77D screen also shows finer detail, with 1,040,000 dots against 921,000. They share useful features: both have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless transfer, a flip-out screen for waist-level work, live view, and built-in and external flash support. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
No |  Yes |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
No |  Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10400001150001500000 | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Storage & battery | 29/100 | 24/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryStorage is a similarity: both write to a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card with UHS-I support, and neither offers a second slot. Battery life differs, with the 77D rated at 600 shots on its LP-E17 against 410 shots on the K-S2's D-LI109. Neither charges its battery over USB, so both need a separate charger or a spare battery. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | LP-E17 | D-LI109 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
600 shots1505000 | 410 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Canon EOS 77D for sports, wildlife and heavy cropping. Its 45 autofocus points give many more placement options than the K-S2's 11, and 24.2 megapixels leave room to crop distant animals. Its battery is rated for 600 shots against the K-S2's 410.
Choose the Pentax K-S2 if you shoot in rain or dust. Its in-body stabilisation steadies handheld shots with any mounted lens, and built-in GPS tags travel photos with location data. Where video, Wi-Fi and the SD slot match, neither gains an edge, so your lens system should decide.