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Canon 20Da vs Pentax ist DS2

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

Canon 20Da vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Canon 20Da
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 770g - 144 x 106 x 72mm
  • Announced June 2005
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
  • Released August 2005
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Canon 20Da vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Canon 20Da and Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the 20Da (8MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The 20Da was announced 2 months earlier than the ist DS2 so they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise view of how the 20Da scores versus the ist DS2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 20Da over the Pentax ist DS2

 20Da ist DS2 

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Canon 20Da

 ist DS2 20Da 
Display size2.5"1.8"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution210k118kCrisper display (+92k dot)

Common features in the Canon 20Da and Pentax ist DS2

 20Da ist DS2 
ReleasedJune 2005August 2005Same age
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Canon 20Da vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Canon 20Da offers outer measurements of 144mm x 106mm x 72mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 2.8") and a weight of 770 grams (1.70 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Canon 20Da and Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the 20Da vs the ist DS2.

Canon 20Da vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the 20Da and ist DS2 is 59 and 68 respectively.

Canon 20Da vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Canon 20Da vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The image below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 20Da and ist DS2.

As you can plainly see, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but different resolution. You can anticipate the Canon 20Da to provide extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics way more aggressively.

Canon 20Da vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Canon 20Da vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Canon 20Da
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DS2
51
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
50
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low resolution (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Canon 20Da as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Street photography camera
53
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 20Da Sports photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography highlights
44
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low resolution (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 20Da Travel photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography details
42
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (8MP)
display is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse mode
low resolution (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 20Da Landscape photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography information
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (1.8 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
missing Timelapse mode
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution (6 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Canon 20Da
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
9
can't shoot video
22
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution ( pxls)
no mic port
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Canon 20Da vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 20Da and Pentax ist DS2
 Canon EOS 20DaPentax ist DS2
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 20Da Pentax ist DS2
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2005-06-01 2005-08-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.5 x 15mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 337.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 3504 x 2336 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF
Available lenses 326 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 1.8 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 118k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Red-eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution None -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 770 grams (1.70 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
Physical 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 All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (10 sec (2 sec with mirror lock-up)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $1,499 -