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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73
Pentax K-3 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 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 Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
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 K-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are sold by Pentax. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the K-3 (24MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but they come with the same exact sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-3 was introduced 8 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick summary of how the K-3 scores against the ist DS2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-3 ist DS2 
LaunchedApril 2014August 2005More recent by 106 months
Display sizing3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1037k210kCrisper display (+827k dot)

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

 ist DS2 K-3 

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

 K-3 ist DS2 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-3 has got physical measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K-3 vs 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 differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the K-3 and the ist DS2.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-3 and ist DS2 is 59 and 68 respectively.

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

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements just by going over specs. The graphic underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-3 and ist DS2.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Pentax K-3 to offer more detail using its extra 18 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern K-3 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
79
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
51
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Street photography camera
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (605 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-3
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
low battery life (560 CIPA)
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-3 Travel photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography features
60
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery life (560 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competition (605 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Landscape photography camera
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery life (560 shots)
47
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-3 Vlogging features
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging features
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
22
lighter than competition (605g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low ( pixels)
lack of mic jack
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Pentax K-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-3 and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K-3Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-3 Pentax ist DS2
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-04-10 2005-08-22
Body design 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 24 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 6016 x 4000 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 27 11
Cross focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 8.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 pounds) 605g (1.33 pounds)
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 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 1216 not tested
Other
Battery life 560 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI90 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots Two 1
Retail cost $639 -