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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-50
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
  • Introduced January 2006
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Pentax K-30 versus Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both sold by Pentax. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but both cameras boast the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-30 was manufactured 6 years after the ist DL2 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the K-30 scores vs the ist DL2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax ist DL2

 K-30 ist DL2 
IntroducedOctober 2012January 2006More modern by 83 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k210kClearer screen (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Pentax K-30

 ist DL2 K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax ist DL2

 K-30 ist DL2 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-30 has got external dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-30 versus Pentax ist DL2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the K-30 vs the ist DL2.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and ist DL2 is 63 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specs. The image underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-30 and ist DL2.

All in all, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax K-30 to give greater detail due to its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern K-30 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography information
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography information
74
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
50
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
low megapixels (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Street photography camera
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (565g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-30
Sports photography with Pentax ist DL2
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography features
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography features
60
weather proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than others in class (565g)
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
low megapixels (6MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
46
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging information
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging information
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone port
22
lighter than others in class (565g)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video ( pixels)
no external microphone port
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Pentax K-30 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax K-30Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-30 Pentax ist DL2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-10-29 2006-01-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime M -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 5
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.5"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone 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 Optional None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 650 grams (1.43 pounds) 565 grams (1.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 65
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 11.1
DXO Low light rating 1129 639
Other
Battery life 410 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Price at release $525 -