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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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
  • Launched August 2005
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic S2 versus Pentax ist DS2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the resolutions of the S2 (14MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the S2 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The S2 was released 6 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the S2 matches up versus the ist DS2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Pentax ist DS2

 S2 ist DS2 
LaunchedJanuary 2012August 2005More recent by 78 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kCrisper screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic S2

 ist DS2 S2 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Pentax ist DS2

 S2 ist DS2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S2 has got external measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S2 versus Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the S2 versus the ist DS2.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the S2 and ist DS2 is 96 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements only by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S2 and ist DS2.

As you can see, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The S2 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic S2 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern S2 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S2 Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography factors
33
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
50
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S2 Street photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography information
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (112g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S2 Sports photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography factors
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
better than average battery life (280 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S2 Travel photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography highlights
70
better than average battery life (280 CIPA)
lighter than average in class (112 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
52
lighter than average (605g)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
MP count low (6 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S2 Landscape photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography information
41
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
better than average battery life (280 shots)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 Vlogging features
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging features
32
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (112g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
22
lighter than average (605 grams)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great ( pxls)
no microphone port
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Panasonic S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S2 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 Pentax ist DS2
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-01-09 2005-08-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 -
Video 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 112g (0.25 lb) 605g (1.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 280 photographs -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $109 -