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Nikon Df vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
59
Imaging
64
Features
62
Overall
63
Nikon Df front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Nikon Df vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Nikon Df
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 204800)
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 760g - 144 x 110 x 67mm
  • Released December 2013
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 Df vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

The following is a complete review of the Nikon Df and Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Nikon and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the Df (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the Df (Full frame) and ist DS2 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

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The Df was introduced 8 years after the ist DS2 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the Df scores versus the ist DS2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Df over the Pentax ist DS2

 Df ist DS2 
IntroducedDecember 2013August 2005Newer by 102 months
Display dimensions3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution921k210kSharper display (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Nikon Df

 ist DS2 Df 

Common features in the Nikon Df and Pentax ist DS2

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

Nikon Df vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon Df features exterior dimensions of 144mm x 110mm x 67mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.6") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

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Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the Df vs the ist DS2.

Nikon Df vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the Df and ist DS2 is 59 and 68 respectively.

Nikon Df vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Df vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions only by viewing specs. The image here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the Df and ist DS2.

All in all, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The Df using its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field easier and the Nikon Df will result in greater detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The fresher Df should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Df vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Nikon Df vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Df Portrait photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography highlights
78
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has face detection focusing
saves RAW files
50
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
resolution not great (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon Df Street photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography features
60
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Df as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
69
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
has tracking autofocus
environment proof
better than average battery (1,400 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Df Travel photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography details
60
better than average battery (1,400 CIPA)
environment proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Df
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
71
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
better than average battery (1,400 shots)
lack of image stabilization
lack of Timelapse recording
46
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Df Vlogging info
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging info
9
no video shooting
22
lighter than competition in class (605g)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution ( resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
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Nikon Df vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Df and Pentax ist DS2
 Nikon DfPentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model type Nikon Df Pentax ist DS2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-12-20 2005-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 23.9mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4928 x 3280 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 39 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Pentax KAF
Total lenses 309 151
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT-LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash settings Auto FP High-speed sync, front-curtain sync, rear-curtain sync, redeye reduction, Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None -
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760 grams (1.68 pounds) 605 grams (1.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 144 x 110 x 67mm (5.7" x 4.3" x 2.6") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 89 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 3279 not tested
Other
Battery life 1400 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID EN-EL14,EN-EL14a 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10, or 20 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/MMC card
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $2,747 -