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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-S1
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
  • Introduced January 2006
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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Following is a complete analysis of the Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2, former is a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Advanced DSLR and both are designed by Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the resolutions of the K-S2 (20MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but they feature the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K-S2 was announced 9 years after the ist DL2 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the K-S2 matches up against the ist DL2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Pentax ist DL2

 K-S2 ist DL2 
IntroducedFebruary 2015January 2006More modern by 111 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kCrisper display (+711k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Pentax K-S2

 ist DL2 K-S2 

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Pentax ist DL2

 K-S2 ist DL2 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Pentax K-S2 features physical dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the K-S2 compared to the ist DL2.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the K-S2 and ist DL2 is 64 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through a spec sheet. The pic below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-S2 and ist DL2.

As you can see, both cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax K-S2 to resolve greater detail with its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The newer K-S2 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DL2
78
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
51
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-S2
Street photography with Pentax ist DL2
72
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competitors in class (678 grams)
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (565 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Sports photography camera
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery power (410 shots)
39
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Travel photography camera
65
environment proofing
MP count good (20MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (678g)
52
lighter than others in class (565 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-S2
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
47
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Vlogging features
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging features
71
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (678g)
22
lighter than others in class (565 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video ( resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax K-S2Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S2 Pentax ist DL2
Category Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2015-02-10 2006-01-27
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip 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 area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5472 x 3648 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 51200 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 5
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.4 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 678 grams (1.49 lbs) 565 grams (1.25 lbs)
Dimensions 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 410 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $581 -