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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
58
Imaging
71
Features
86
Overall
77
Pentax K-3 Mark III front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax K-3 III
(Full Review)
  • 26MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600000
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 820g - 135 x 104 x 74mm
  • Revealed March 2021
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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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both offered by Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the K-3 III (26MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-3 III was introduced 15 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the K-3 III matches up versus the ist DS2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-3 III ist DS2 
LaunchedMarch 2021August 2005More recent by 190 months
Screen size3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1620k210kClearer screen (+1410k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

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

 ist DS2 K-3 III 

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

 K-3 III ist DS2 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 III comes with external measurements of 135mm x 104mm x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") with a weight of 820 grams (1.81 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-3 III versus Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the K-3 III vs the ist DS2.

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the K-3 III and ist DS2 is 58 and 68 respectively.

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

Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements just by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph here will give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the K-3 III and ist DS2.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-3 III to offer you extra detail using its extra 20MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more modern K-3 III provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Portrait photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography info
82
you can focus manually
megapixel count high (26MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW formats
50
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Street photography camera
70
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
supports touch to focus
weather proofing
above average high ISO (1,600,000)
screen does not articulate
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count high (26MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
terrible battery power (800 per charge)
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Travel photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography factors
64
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
supports touch to focus
megapixel count high (26MP)
terrible battery power (800 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 III Landscape photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography info
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count high (26 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (1,600,000)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
terrible battery power (800 CIPA)
46
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 III as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
35
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
22
lighter than competition in class (605g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great ( pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Pentax K-3 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 III and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K-3 Mark IIIPentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-3 Mark III Pentax ist DS2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2021-03-31 2005-08-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23 x 15.5mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 356.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 26 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 6192 x 4128 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 1600000 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 101 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 156 151
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 1,620 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 12.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash settings Auto, Auto + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow- speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/200 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 -
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/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 820g (1.81 lb) 605g (1.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 135 x 104 x 74mm (5.3" x 4.1" x 2.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 800 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II supported in slot 1) SD/MMC card
Storage slots Two 1
Launch cost $1,999 -