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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
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
  • Launched January 2006
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

The following is a in depth review of the Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR and they are both built by Pentax. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-500 was introduced 7 years after the ist DL2 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the K-500 scores vs the ist DL2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax ist DL2

 K-500 ist DL2 
LaunchedNovember 2013January 2006Newer by 96 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kClearer display (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Pentax K-500

 ist DL2 K-500 

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Pentax ist DL2

 K-500 ist DL2 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera often, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-500 features external dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DL2 has sizing 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-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 in the latest Camera and 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 working with at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the K-500 and the ist DL2.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-500 and ist DL2 is 64 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to envision the difference in sensor dimensions purely by looking through technical specs. The image here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the K-500 and ist DL2.

As you can tell, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You should expect to see the Pentax K-500 to render greater detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The newer K-500 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DL2
74
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
50
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Street photography camera
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great ISO range (51,600)
screen is fixed
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (565 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-500 Sports photography highlights
Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography highlights
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
great battery (710 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography information
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography information
67
great battery (710 CIPA)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than competition in class (565g)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-500 Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography factors
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (710 per charge)
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Vlogging camera
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have mic support
22
lighter than competition in class (565 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution ( pixels)
does not have microphone port
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax K-500Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-500 Pentax ist DL2
Class Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-11-27 2006-01-27
Body design Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 372.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 4928 x 3264 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 51600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 5
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 data 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 646 gr (1.42 lb) 565 gr (1.25 lb)
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 All around rating 79 65
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 11.1
DXO Low light rating 1087 639
Other
Battery life 710 images -
Battery form AA -
Battery ID 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $600 -