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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 II front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-3
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
  • Announced August 2005
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are built by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the K-3 II (24MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but they possess the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-3 II was manufactured 9 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a short highlight of how the K-3 II grades versus the ist DS2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Pentax ist DS2

 K-3 II ist DS2 
AnnouncedApril 2015August 2005Fresher by 118 months
Screen sizing3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k210kSharper screen (+827k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax K-3 II

 ist DS2 K-3 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax ist DS2

 K-3 II ist DS2 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-3 II comes with external measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-3 II and Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the K-3 II against the ist DS2.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 II and ist DS2 is 59 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing merely by researching specifications. The graphic underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 II and ist DS2.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax K-3 II to render extra detail due to its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger K-3 II provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography advice
79
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
50
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-3 II
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (605 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Sports photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography advice
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect AF
not so great battery life (720 CIPA)
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
does not have liveview
low fps (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 II as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
56
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
not so great battery life (720 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than competition (605g)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse recording
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-3 II
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
78
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
not so great battery life (720 shots)
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 II Vlogging highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging highlights
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
22
lighter than competition (605 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low ( pixels)
missing microphone socket
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Pentax K-3 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 II and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K-3 IIPentax ist DS2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 II Pentax ist DS2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2015-04-23 2005-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 6016 x 4000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 27 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Total lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3.2 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 1,037k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 8.3 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash settings Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Optional No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lbs) 605 gr (1.33 lbs)
Dimensions 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 80 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1106 not tested
Other
Battery life 720 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots Dual Single
Pricing at release $829 -