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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62
Pentax K-500 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
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
  • Released August 2005
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Pentax K-500 versus Pentax ist DS2, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are built by Pentax. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the K-500 (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-500 was introduced 8 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the K-500 scores versus the ist DS2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Pentax ist DS2

 K-500 ist DS2 
ReleasedNovember 2013August 2005More modern by 101 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k210kClearer screen (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax K-500

 ist DS2 K-500 

Common features in the Pentax K-500 and Pentax ist DS2

 K-500 ist DS2 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-500 enjoys physical measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Pentax K-500 versus Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the K-500 vs the ist DS2.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the K-500 and ist DS2 is 64 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to see the difference between sensor sizes simply by going over specs. The pic below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the K-500 and ist DS2.

All in all, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Pentax K-500 to offer more detail using its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The fresher K-500 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-500 Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography factors
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
50
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography highlights
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
above average high ISO (51,600)
fixed screen
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (605 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-500
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
great battery (710 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-500 Travel photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography advice
67
great battery (710 per charge)
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
52
lighter than average in class (605 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (6MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-500
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW files
great battery (710 per charge)
46
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no external microphone socket
22
lighter than average in class (605g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution ( pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
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Pentax K-500 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-500 and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K-500Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-500 Pentax ist DS2
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2013-11-27 2005-08-22
Physical type 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
Highest resolution 4928 x 3264 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 51600 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Available lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen 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 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 646g (1.42 pounds) 605g (1.33 pounds)
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 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1087 not tested
Other
Battery life 710 pictures -
Form of battery 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 type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $600 -