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Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
57
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58
Canon EOS 50D front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Canon 50D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 12800)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 822g - 146 x 108 x 74mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Superseded the Canon 40D
  • Later Model is Canon 60D
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced August 2005
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Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Canon and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the 50D (15MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but they feature the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The 50D was manufactured 3 years after the ist DS2 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple summation of how the 50D matches up versus the ist DS2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 50D over the Pentax ist DS2

 50D ist DS2 
AnnouncedOctober 2008August 2005Newer by 39 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution920k210kSharper screen (+710k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Canon 50D

 ist DS2 50D 

Common features in the Canon 50D and Pentax ist DS2

 50D ist DS2 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera frequently, you'll need to factor in its weight and size. The Canon 50D features physical measurements of 146mm x 108mm x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") and a weight of 822 grams (1.81 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the 50D against the ist DS2.

Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the 50D and ist DS2 is 57 and 68 respectively.

Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions only by going through a spec sheet. The picture here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the 50D and ist DS2.

Clearly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Canon 50D to show greater detail due to its extra 9MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more recent 50D will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 50D Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography factors
72
manual focus
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
50
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Canon 50D Street photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography info
57
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average (605g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Canon 50D Sports photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography info
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery life (800 shots)
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow frames per second (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 50D
Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
57
weather proof
MP count decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (800 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than average (605 grams)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
low MP (6MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon 50D
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count decent (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery life (800 CIPA)
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 50D Vlogging features
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging features
9
lack of video recording
22
lighter than average (605 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video ( pxls)
missing microphone jack
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Canon 50D vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 50D and Pentax ist DS2
 Canon EOS 50DPentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Canon Pentax
Model type Canon EOS 50D Pentax ist DS2
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-10-30 2005-08-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Digic 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 332.3mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4752 x 3168 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
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
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Pentax KAF
Available lenses 326 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT liquid-crystal color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.3 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None -
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 822 gr (1.81 pounds) 605 gr (1.33 pounds)
Dimensions 146 x 108 x 74mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 63 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 696 not tested
Other
Battery life 800 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BP-511A 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $996 -