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Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
55
Imaging
75
Features
80
Overall
77
Nikon D810A front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Nikon D810A
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 880g - 146 x 123 x 82mm
  • Launched February 2015
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 D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the D810A (36MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the D810A (Full frame) and ist DL2 (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The D810A was manufactured 9 years after the ist DL2 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a short summation of how the D810A grades vs the ist DL2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D810A over the Pentax ist DL2

 D810A ist DL2 
IntroducedFebruary 2015January 2006Newer by 111 months
Display sizing3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1229k210kClearer display (+1019k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Nikon D810A

 ist DL2 D810A 

Common features in the Nikon D810A and Pentax ist DL2

 D810A ist DL2 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and proportions. The Nikon D810A enjoys exterior dimensions of 146mm x 123mm x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") along with a weight of 880 grams (1.94 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Check the Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the D810A compared to the ist DL2.

Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the D810A and ist DL2 is 55 and 69 respectively.

Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions merely by viewing technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the D810A and ist DL2.

As you have seen, both cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The D810A due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Nikon D810A will result in more detail due to its extra 30MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The newer D810A provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon D810A
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DL2
85
you can focus manually
excellent resolution (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
51
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D810A Street photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography factors
60
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (565g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D810A
Sports photography with Pentax ist DL2
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
excellent resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery power (1,200 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D810A Travel photography details
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography details
69
great battery power (1,200 CIPA)
weather proof
excellent resolution (36 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
52
lighter than competition in class (565g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (6MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D810A Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography factors
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon F mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
excellent resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
great battery power (1,200 shots)
2 card slots
lack of image stabilization
47
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D810A Vlogging advice
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging advice
30
provides face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone support
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
22
lighter than competition in class (565g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution ( pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Nikon D810A vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D810A and Pentax ist DL2
 Nikon D810APentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon D810A Pentax ist DL2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2015-02-10 2006-01-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by EXPEED 4 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor measurements 35.9 x 24mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 36 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 7360 x 4912 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max boosted ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 51 5
Cross focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon F Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 309 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.2 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 1,229 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Optional 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 880 gr (1.94 lb) 565 gr (1.25 lb)
Dimensions 146 x 123 x 82mm (5.7" x 4.8" x 3.2") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 639
Other
Battery life 1200 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model EN-EL15 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, 20 secs for up to 9 shots) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, CompactFlash (UDMA compliant) SD/MMC card
Storage slots 2 Single
Pricing at launch $3,800 -