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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66
Pentax K-5 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-7
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5 IIs
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Revealed January 2006
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR cameras and both are designed by Pentax. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-5 (16MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-5 was introduced 4 years after the ist DL2 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the K-5 grades versus the ist DL2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Pentax ist DL2

 K-5 ist DL2 
RevealedDecember 2010January 2006Newer by 60 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kClearer display (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Pentax K-5

 ist DL2 K-5 

Common features in the Pentax K-5 and Pentax ist DL2

 K-5 ist DL2 
Manual focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax K-5 has got external measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the K-5 against the ist DL2.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K-5 and ist DL2 is 60 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The picture below should give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the K-5 and ist DL2.

As you have seen, both cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should expect to see the Pentax K-5 to render more detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images way more aggressively. The more recent K-5 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Portrait photography camera
73
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
51
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
low MP (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 Street photography details
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography details
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average in class (565g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Sports photography camera
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max fps low (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than average in class (565 grams)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low MP (6 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 Landscape photography info
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography info
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
47
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K-5
Vlogging with Pentax ist DL2
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
22
lighter than average in class (565g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video ( resolution)
no external mic socket
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Pentax K-5 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax K-5Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-5 Pentax ist DL2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2010-12-18 2006-01-27
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 area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4928 x 3264 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Max boosted ISO 51200 -
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 5
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 screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 secs -
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 424 (25, 30 fps) -
Max 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 740 grams (1.63 lb) 565 grams (1.25 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 All around score 82 65
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 11.1
DXO Low light score 1162 639
Other
Battery life 980 shots -
Type 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots One One
Launch price $800 -