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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65
Pentax K-S1 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Announced August 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-S2
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Revealed January 2006
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Pentax K-S1 versus Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are offered by Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the K-S1 (20MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-S1 was introduced 8 years later than the ist DL2 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the K-S1 matches up against the ist DL2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Pentax ist DL2

 K-S1 ist DL2 
RevealedAugust 2014January 2006Fresher by 105 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k210kSharper screen (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Pentax K-S1

 ist DL2 K-S1 

Common features in the Pentax K-S1 and Pentax ist DL2

 K-S1 ist DL2 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-S1 has outside measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DL2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

See the Pentax K-S1 versus Pentax ist DL2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the K-S1 vs the ist DL2.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-S1 and ist DL2 is 69 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing purely by looking at a spec sheet. The visual underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the K-S1 and ist DL2.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You can count on the Pentax K-S1 to give you more detail using its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots more aggressively. The fresher K-S1 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography info
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography info
77
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
50
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Street photography camera
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (558 grams)
great ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (565g)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Sports photography information
Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography information
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
max fps low (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery power (410 shots)
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-S1
Travel photography with Pentax ist DL2
60
lighter than competition (558 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (410 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competition in class (565g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-S1
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
73
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
bad battery power (410 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
46
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
no liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S1 Vlogging details
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging details
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (558g)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic support
22
lighter than competition in class (565g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low ( pxls)
does not have microphone support
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Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S1 and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax K-S1Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-S1 Pentax ist DL2
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-08-27 2006-01-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Prime MII -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 5
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Available lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 921k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.4fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video format H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 558 grams (1.23 lbs) 565 grams (1.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 78 65
DXO Color Depth score 23.5 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 11.1
DXO Low light score 1061 639
Other
Battery life 410 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109 4 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $339 -