Clicky

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67
Pentax K-5 II front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-5
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
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Here is a extended review of the Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are created by Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the K-5 II (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The K-5 II was revealed 7 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short view of how the K-5 II scores against the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Pentax ist DS2

 K-5 II ist DS2 
LaunchedJune 2013August 2005Fresher by 95 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k210kClearer screen (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax K-5 II

 ist DS2 K-5 II 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Pentax ist DS2

 K-5 II ist DS2 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 II features outside measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-5 II vs 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 based on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the K-5 II versus the ist DS2.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-5 II and ist DS2 is 60 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor sizing just by checking a spec sheet. The graphic here will provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 II and ist DS2.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax K-5 II to resolve greater detail because of its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The younger K-5 II will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography info
74
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
50
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Street photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography details
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Travel photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography factors
65
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography factors
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
46
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Vlogging factors
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging factors
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
22
lighter than competitors in class (605 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video resolution low ( pixels)
does not have mic support
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Pentax K-5 II vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 II and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K-5 IIPentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-5 II Pentax ist DS2
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2013-06-04 2005-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 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
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 12800 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 51200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Available lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 921k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 760 gr (1.68 lb) 605 gr (1.33 lb)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1235 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 photographs -
Style of battery 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 SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $830 -