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Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Introduced January 2016
  • Older Model is Nikon D300S
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
  • Launched August 2005
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Following is a extensive comparison of the Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the D500 (21MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The D500 was launched 10 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the D500 scores versus the ist DS2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Pentax ist DS2

 D500 ist DS2 
LaunchedJanuary 2016August 2005More modern by 127 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2359k210kCrisper screen (+2149k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Nikon D500

 ist DS2 D500 

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Pentax ist DS2

 D500 ist DS2 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon D500 provides outside measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") and a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) whilst 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).

See the Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the D500 vs the ist DS2.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and ist DS2 is 56 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over a spec sheet. The image below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D500 and ist DS2.

Clearly, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Nikon D500 to offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 15MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The younger D500 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D500
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DS2
79
manual focus
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
51
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D500
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
68
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
has touch to focus
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (605g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D500 Sports photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography factors
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery pack (1,240 shots)
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon D500
Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
68
good battery pack (1,240 per charge)
weather sealing
supports bluetooth
has touch to focus
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competition (605 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography advice
77
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
MP count decent (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
good battery pack (1,240 shots)
two card slots
lack of image stabilization
47
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon D500
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
31
touchscreen enabled
includes face detection focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
22
lighter than competition (605g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video ( pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Nikon D500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Pentax ist DS2
 Nikon D500Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D500 Pentax ist DS2
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2016-01-05 2005-08-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 5 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 5568 x 3712 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max boosted ISO 1640000 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 153 11
Cross type focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF
Available lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 2,359 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 -
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860 gr (1.90 lbs) 605 gr (1.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 84 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1324 not tested
Other
Battery life 1240 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL15 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) SD/MMC card
Storage slots Dual Single
Launch pricing $1,497 -