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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68
Pentax K-5 IIs front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Replaced the 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
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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below is a extended overview of the Pentax K-5 IIs versus Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are sold by Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the K-5 IIs (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-5 IIs was announced 7 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the K-5 IIs grades against the ist DS2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-5 IIs ist DS2 
LaunchedJune 2013August 2005More recent by 95 months
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k210kSharper screen (+711k dot)

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

 ist DS2 K-5 IIs 

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

 K-5 IIs ist DS2 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K-5 IIs provides physical dimensions 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 dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax K-5 IIs versus Pentax ist DS2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the K-5 IIs and the ist DS2.

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

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

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

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements just by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-5 IIs and ist DS2.

Clearly, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax K-5 IIs to resolve extra detail with its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent K-5 IIs will have a benefit in sensor tech.

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

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

Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DS2
74
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
50
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
low megapixels (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (605g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proof
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than average (605 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Landscape photography camera
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
46
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 IIs as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
22
lighter than average (605g)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low ( resolution)
doesn't have external mic socket
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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 IIs and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K-5 IIsPentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-5 IIs Pentax ist DS2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-06-04 2005-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 16MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 51200 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 921k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest 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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 760 gr (1.68 lb) 605 gr (1.33 lb)
Physical 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 score 82 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 1208 not tested
Other
Battery life 980 photographs -
Style 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 type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $749 -