Panasonic GX7 vs Pentax ist DS2

Below, we are matching up the Panasonic GX7 versus Pentax ist DS2, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the GX7 (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the GX7 (Four Thirds) and ist DS2 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GX7 was announced 8 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GX7 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the GX7 grades vs the ist DS2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 and Pentax ist DS2. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic GX7 Gallery and Pentax ist DS2 Gallery.

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GX7 provides physical measurements of 123mm x 71mm x 55mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.2") having a weight of 402 grams (0.89 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has measurements 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 Panasonic GX7 versus Pentax ist DS2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the GX7 versus the ist DS2.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the GX7 and ist DS2 is 81 and 68 respectively.

Often, it's difficult to visualise the gap in sensor measurements merely by seeing technical specs. The visual here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the GX7 and ist DS2.

As you have seen, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GX7 with its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh more challenging and the Panasonic GX7 will produce more detail with its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The fresher GX7 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.