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Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
59
Imaging
46
Features
39
Overall
43
Canon EOS 20D front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Canon 20D
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 770g - 144 x 106 x 72mm
  • Released November 2004
  • Superseded the Canon 10D
  • Replacement is Canon 30D
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Launched August 2005
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Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Canon 20D versus Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the 20D (8MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The 20D was released 9 months earlier than the ist DS2 and they are of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the 20D scores vs the ist DS2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 20D over the Pentax ist DS2

 20D ist DS2 

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Canon 20D

 ist DS2 20D 
LaunchedAugust 2005November 2004Newer by 9 months
Display sizing2.5"1.8"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution210k118kClearer display (+92k dot)

Common features in the Canon 20D and Pentax ist DS2

 20D ist DS2 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Canon 20D has got outer measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") having a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Canon 20D versus Pentax ist DS2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are using at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the 20D compared to the ist DS2.

Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the 20D and ist DS2 is 59 and 68 respectively.

Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions purely by going over a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 20D and ist DS2.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Canon 20D to deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged 20D is going to be behind in sensor innovation.

Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 20D Portrait photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography information
47
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (8 megapixels)
50
focusing manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon 20D Street photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography features
53
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (605g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Canon 20D as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
44
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 20D Travel photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography factors
46
flash built-in
low megapixels (8MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (6MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 20D Landscape photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography details
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (8MP)
46
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 20D Vlogging information
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging information
9
can't record video
22
lighter than competition in class (605g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video ( pixels)
does not have external microphone support
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Canon 20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 20D and Pentax ist DS2
 Canon EOS 20DPentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Canon Pentax
Model Canon EOS 20D Pentax ist DS2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2004-11-03 2005-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.5 x 15mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 337.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3504 x 2336 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 326 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 1.8 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 118k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 12.00 m (ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 770 grams (1.70 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
Dimensions 144 x 106 x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 62 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 721 not tested
Other
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $1,300 -