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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-3 II
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released January 2006
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Here is a extended review of the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both sold by Pentax. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-3 was introduced 8 years later than the ist DL2 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the K-3 grades versus the ist DL2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Pentax ist DL2

 K-3 ist DL2 
ReleasedApril 2014January 2006Fresher by 100 months
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k210kClearer screen (+827k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Pentax K-3

 ist DL2 K-3 

Common features in the Pentax K-3 and Pentax ist DL2

 K-3 ist DL2 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax K-3 features external dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Pentax ist DL2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-3 versus Pentax ist DL2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the K-3 vs the ist DL2.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-3 and ist DL2 is 59 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through technical specs. The visual underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-3 and ist DL2.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax K-3 to result in greater detail using its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more modern K-3 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography factors
79
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 Street photography information
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography information
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (565 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography highlights
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
bad battery life (560 per charge)
39
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Travel photography camera
60
environment proof
good MP (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
bad battery life (560 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than others (565g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (6MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 Landscape photography features
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography features
78
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
bad battery life (560 shots)
47
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Vlogging camera
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
22
lighter than others (565 grams)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low ( pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax K-3Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax ist DL2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-04-10 2006-01-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 27 5
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3.2 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 1,037 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 lb) 565 gr (1.25 lb)
Physical 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 All around score 80 65
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 11.1
DXO Low light score 1216 639
Other
Battery life 560 shots -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots Dual 1
Retail cost $639 -