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Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
50
Imaging
62
Features
81
Overall
69
Nikon D4 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Nikon D4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1340g - 160 x 157 x 91mm
  • Revealed January 2012
  • Superseded the Nikon D3S
  • Replacement is Nikon D4s
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced January 2006
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Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Lets look a little more in depth at the Nikon D4 and Pentax ist DL2, one being a Pro DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the D4 (16MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the D4 (Full frame) and ist DL2 (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The D4 was manufactured 6 years later than the ist DL2 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon D4 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick overview of how the D4 matches up against the ist DL2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D4 over the Pentax ist DL2

 D4 ist DL2 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2006Fresher by 73 months
Display dimensions3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution921k210kCrisper display (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Nikon D4

 ist DL2 D4 

Common features in the Nikon D4 and Pentax ist DL2

 D4 ist DL2 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Nikon D4 features outside dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 1340 grams (2.95 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D4 and Pentax ist DL2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the D4 compared to the ist DL2.

Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the D4 and ist DL2 is 50 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizing just by researching specifications. The visual underneath may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the D4 and ist DL2.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The D4 due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Nikon D4 will result in more detail due to its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The younger D4 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D4 Portrait photography advice
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography advice
77
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
51
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D4 as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Street photography camera
56
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (565g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D4 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Sports photography camera
73
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
good resolution (16MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
39
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D4 Travel photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography factors
59
environment sealing
good resolution (16MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than competitors in class (565g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D4
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
does not have image stabilization
47
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D4 Vlogging features
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging features
26
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
22
lighter than competitors in class (565g)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low ( pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Nikon D4 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D4 and Pentax ist DL2
 Nikon D4Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Make Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D4 Pentax ist DL2
Category Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-01-06 2006-01-27
Physical type Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 3 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 860.4mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3280 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 51 5
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 2.5"
Display resolution 921k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT color LCD with brightness control -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25 fps), 640 x 424 (30, 25 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1340 gr (2.95 lbs) 565 gr (1.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 160 x 157 x 91mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.6") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 89 65
DXO Color Depth rating 24.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 11.1
DXO Low light rating 2965 639
Other
Battery life 2600 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL18 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2-20 seconds, 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage CompactFlash, XQD SD/MMC card
Card slots 2 Single
Pricing at release $4,500 -