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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 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
  • Launched August 2005
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Panasonic S1 and Pentax ist DS2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the S1 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The S1 was launched 5 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the S1 scores vs the ist DS2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax ist DS2

 S1 ist DS2 
LaunchedJanuary 2011August 2005Newer by 66 months
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kClearer display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic S1

 ist DS2 S1 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax ist DS2

 S1 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic S1 has external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic S1 and Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the S1 vs the ist DS2.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the S1 and ist DS2 is 96 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the S1 and ist DS2.

As you can see, each of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S1 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Panasonic S1 will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The newer S1 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography features
21
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
50
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
low megapixels (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (605g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S1
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
27
image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S1
Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
62
lighter than average (117g)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
52
lighter than competition (605 grams)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
low megapixels (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography advice
32
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
46
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S1 Vlogging features
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging features
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (117g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
22
lighter than competition (605g)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video ( resolution)
missing external microphone port
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 Pentax ist DS2
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2005-08-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 -
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 gr (0.26 lbs) 605 gr (1.33 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 240 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $269 -