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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 177g - 99 x 60 x 30mm
  • Introduced January 2015
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 SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax ist DS2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the SZ10 (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the SZ10 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

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The SZ10 was announced 9 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ10 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ10 matches up vs the ist DS2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Pentax ist DS2

 SZ10 ist DS2 
RevealedJanuary 2015August 2005Fresher by 115 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kCrisper display (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic SZ10

 ist DS2 SZ10 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax ist DS2

 SZ10 ist DS2 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ10 features exterior measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 177 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ10 compared to the ist DS2.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ10 and ist DS2 is 93 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by looking through technical specs. The photograph here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ10 and ist DS2.

As you can tell, each of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ10 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Panasonic SZ10 will render extra detail with its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images way more aggressively. The younger SZ10 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography factors
35
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
50
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Street photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
70
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (177 grams)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (605g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (1.4 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (200 shots)
has no phase detect auto focus
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Travel photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than average (177g)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low battery (200 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
52
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography information
41
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
low battery (200 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
46
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.5")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than average (177 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone support
22
lighter than competition in class (605g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low ( resolution)
missing external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 Pentax ist DS2
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2015-01-06 2005-08-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.4 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m -
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 -
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 177 grams (0.39 lbs) 605 grams (1.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $200 -