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Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
54
Imaging
57
Features
56
Overall
56
Nikon D700 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Nikon D700
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1074g - 147 x 123 x 77mm
  • Introduced October 2008
  • New Model is Nikon D800E
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
  • Introduced August 2005
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Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Nikon D700 and Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Nikon and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the D700 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the D700 (Full frame) and ist DS2 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The D700 was announced 3 years after the ist DS2 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short introduction of how the D700 scores against the ist DS2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D700 over the Pentax ist DS2

 D700 ist DS2 
IntroducedOctober 2008August 2005More modern by 39 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k210kSharper display (+712k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Nikon D700

 ist DS2 D700 

Common features in the Nikon D700 and Pentax ist DS2

 D700 ist DS2 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Nikon D700 has got exterior measurements of 147mm x 123mm x 77mm (5.8" x 4.8" x 3.0") along with a weight of 1074 grams (2.37 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D700 and Pentax ist DS2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the D700 versus the ist DS2.

Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the D700 and ist DS2 is 54 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to picture the contrast in sensor sizes just by looking through a spec sheet. The image below may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D700 and ist DS2.

Clearly, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The D700 using its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Nikon D700 will result in extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more modern D700 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D700 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
64
you can focus manually
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
50
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon D700
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
53
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (1,074g)
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average (605 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D700 Sports photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography highlights
59
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
environment proofing
better than average battery life (1,000 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D700 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
53
better than average battery life (1,000 CIPA)
environment proofing
has built in flash
more heavy than competitors (1,074g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than average (605 grams)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D700 Landscape photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography details
67
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery life (1,000 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D700 Vlogging highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging highlights
9
lack of video recording
22
lighter than average (605g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low res video ( pxls)
no external microphone support
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Nikon D700 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D700 and Pentax ist DS2
 Nikon D700Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D700 Pentax ist DS2
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2008-10-07 2005-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 36 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4256 x 2832 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.72x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1074 gr (2.37 lbs) 605 gr (1.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 147 x 123 x 77mm (5.8" x 4.8" x 3.0") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 not tested
DXO Low light rating 2303 not tested
Other
Battery life 1000 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL3e 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I) SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $2,700 -