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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
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
  • Revealed August 2005
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Nikon Z50 and Pentax ist DS2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Nikon and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The Z50 was unveiled 14 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the Z50 grades against the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Pentax ist DS2

 Z50 ist DS2 
RevealedOctober 2019August 2005Fresher by 173 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1040k210kClearer screen (+830k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Nikon Z50

 ist DS2 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Pentax ist DS2

 Z50 ist DS2 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Nikon Z50 has outside dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check out the Nikon Z50 and Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the Z50 and the ist DS2.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and ist DS2 is 74 and 68 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The graphic here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z50 and ist DS2.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Nikon Z50 to offer more detail having an extra 15MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The younger Z50 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z50
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DS2
80
manual focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
50
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Nikon Z50
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
73
tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
provides focus by touch
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (397 grams)
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
75
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
low fps (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
77
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
provides focus by touch
megapixel count good (21MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (397 grams)
52
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (6 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z50
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
46
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging factors
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging factors
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic port
does not have image stabilization
heavier than others in class (397g)
22
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low ( pxls)
doesn't have mic support
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Nikon Z50 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Pentax ist DS2
 Nikon Z50Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Pentax
Model Nikon Z50 Pentax ist DS2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2019-10-10 2005-08-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-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 21 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 5568 x 3712 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max boosted ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 209 11
Lens
Lens mount Nikon Z Pentax KAF
Available lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 -
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 gr (0.88 pounds) 605 gr (1.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photographs -
Type of battery Built-in -
Battery model EN-EL25 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $857 -