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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61
Pentax K-01 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 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
  • Released August 2005
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

The following is a comprehensive review of the Pentax K-01 and Pentax ist DS2, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both created by Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the K-01 (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-01 was announced 6 years after the ist DS2 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the K-01 scores vs the ist DS2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Pentax ist DS2

 K-01 ist DS2 
ReleasedMay 2012August 2005Newer by 83 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k210kClearer screen (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax K-01

 ist DS2 K-01 

Common features in the Pentax K-01 and Pentax ist DS2

 K-01 ist DS2 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-01 enjoys exterior dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") and a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs) while 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).

Look at the Pentax K-01 and Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is a front view size comparison of the K-01 vs the ist DS2.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the K-01 and ist DS2 is 76 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out a spec sheet. The picture here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-01 and ist DS2.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You can expect the Pentax K-01 to produce extra detail with its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The fresher K-01 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-01 Portrait photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography features
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
50
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
low megapixels (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-01 Street photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography factors
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
heavier than others in class (561 grams)
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (605g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-01 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (540 shots)
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
lacks phase detect autofocus
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-01 Travel photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
65
good battery power (540 shots)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than others in class (561 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than average in class (605 grams)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (6MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-01 Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography factors
80
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good battery power (540 CIPA)
46
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-01 Vlogging information
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging information
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (561 grams)
22
lighter than average in class (605g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video ( pixels)
no external mic port
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Pentax K-01 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-01 and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K-01Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-01 Pentax ist DS2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-05-30 2005-08-22
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 81 11
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 921k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 561g (1.24 pounds) 605g (1.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.9 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1135 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $899 -