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Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
36
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic 3D1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.9-5.7) lens
  • 193g - 108 x 58 x 24mm
  • Launched November 2011
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
  • Revealed August 2005
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Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Panasonic 3D1 versus Pentax ist DS2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the 3D1 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the 3D1 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The 3D1 was released 6 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic 3D1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the 3D1 scores against the ist DS2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic 3D1 over the Pentax ist DS2

 3D1 ist DS2 
RevealedNovember 2011August 2005Fresher by 76 months
Display size3.5"2.5"Larger display (+1")
Display resolution460k210kClearer display (+250k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic 3D1

 ist DS2 3D1 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic 3D1 and Pentax ist DS2

 3D1 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic 3D1 features outer dimensions of 108mm x 58mm x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions 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 Panasonic 3D1 versus Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the 3D1 versus the ist DS2.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the 3D1 and ist DS2 is 93 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by going through specs. The graphic here will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 3D1 and ist DS2.

All in all, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The 3D1 due to its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Panasonic 3D1 will show greater detail as a result of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher 3D1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic 3D1
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DS2
27
offers face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
50
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
resolution not great (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Street photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch to focus
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (605g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
30
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery (200 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic 3D1
Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
59
comes with touch to focus
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery (200 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic 3D1 Landscape photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography information
36
decently wide (25mm)
bigger than average screen (3.5 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
low resolution (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
low battery (200 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic 3D1
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
34
decently wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
slow maximum aperture (f3.9)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing mic jack
22
lighter than competition in class (605g)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low ( pixels)
missing microphone socket
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Panasonic 3D1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic 3D1 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-3D1 Pentax ist DS2
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-11-07 2005-08-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.7 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3.5 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Full Touch Screen with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow 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 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 193 gr (0.43 lbs) 605 gr (1.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 58 x 24mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 0.9") 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 200 shots -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $670 -