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Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
97
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33
Pentax Efina front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax Efina
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 91g - 87 x 54 x 21mm
  • Introduced June 2013
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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Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Advanced DSLR and they are both created by Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the Efina (14MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the Efina (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The Efina was revealed 7 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax Efina being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the Efina scores vs the ist DS2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Efina over the Pentax ist DS2

 Efina ist DS2 
LaunchedJune 2013August 2005Fresher by 95 months
Display resolution230k210kCrisper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax Efina

 ist DS2 Efina 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Pentax Efina and Pentax ist DS2

 Efina ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing2.5"2.5"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax Efina provides physical measurements of 87mm x 54mm x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8") along with a weight of 91 grams (0.20 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the Efina compared to the ist DS2.

Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the Efina and ist DS2 is 97 and 68 respectively.

Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing only by researching technical specs. The visual underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the Efina and ist DS2.

As you can tell, each of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Efina with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax Efina will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The fresher Efina should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Efina Portrait photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography information
34
MP count good (14 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
50
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax Efina Street photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography factors
64
image stabilization (Digital)
lighter than average in class (91g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (605 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Efina as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
35
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,400s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Efina Travel photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
69
lighter than average in class (91 grams)
MP count good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
lack of Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
52
lighter than competition (605 grams)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (6MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Efina Landscape photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography details
38
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
46
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Efina Vlogging highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging highlights
33
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Digital)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (91g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
22
lighter than competition (605g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low ( pixels)
missing external mic port
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Pentax Efina vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Efina and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax EfinaPentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Efina Pentax ist DS2
Class Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-06-03 2005-08-22
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.3 -
Macro focus distance 20cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5" 2.5"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology QVGA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1/8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1400s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.10 m -
Flash options Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720, 640 x 480 -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 -
Mic 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 91 grams (0.20 lbs) 605 grams (1.33 lbs)
Dimensions 87 x 54 x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" 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 200 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SC/SDHC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $10 -