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Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
57
Imaging
76
Features
89
Overall
81
Nikon D780 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Nikon D780
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 840g - 144 x 116 x 76mm
  • Released January 2020
  • Succeeded the Nikon D750
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
  • Released August 2005
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

The following is a in-depth assessment of the Nikon D780 versus Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Nikon and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the D780 (25MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the D780 (Full frame) and ist DS2 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The D780 was revealed 14 years after the ist DS2 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the D780 matches up versus the ist DS2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D780 over the Pentax ist DS2

 D780 ist DS2 
ReleasedJanuary 2020August 2005Newer by 176 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution2359k210kSharper screen (+2149k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Nikon D780

 ist DS2 D780 

Common features in the Nikon D780 and Pentax ist DS2

 D780 ist DS2 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Nikon D780 offers external measurements of 144mm x 116mm x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 840 grams (1.85 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Compare the Nikon D780 versus Pentax ist DS2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the D780 vs the ist DS2.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D780 and ist DS2 is 57 and 68 respectively.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions purely by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the D780 and ist DS2.

Clearly, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The D780 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Nikon D780 will provide extra detail because of its extra 19MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger D780 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D780 Portrait photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography information
85
focusing manually
MP count excellent (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
50
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
low MP (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D780 Street photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography factors
71
screen tilts up and down
great sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
environment proof
good ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others (605g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D780 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
81
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
MP count excellent (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery pack (2,260 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D780 Travel photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography highlights
71
better than average battery pack (2,260 CIPA)
environment proof
connects via bluetooth
supports touch to focus
MP count excellent (25MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than others (605 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (6MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D780
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
81
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
MP count excellent (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
better than average battery pack (2,260 shots)
has dual storage slots
lack of image stabilization
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D780 Vlogging factors
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging factors
32
has touchscreen
comes with face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
22
lighter than others (605g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution ( resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Nikon D780 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D780 and Pentax ist DS2
 Nikon D780Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon D780 Pentax ist DS2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2020-01-07 2005-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 858.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 25MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 6048 x 4024 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 51 11
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 2.5"
Display resolution 2,359 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 7.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 -
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 840 grams (1.85 lbs) 605 grams (1.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 144 x 116 x 76mm (5.7" x 4.6" x 3.0") 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 life 2260 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL15b 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) SD/MMC card
Card slots Dual 1
Price at launch $2,297 -