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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71
Pentax K-S2 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-S1
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-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

The following is a detailed review of the Pentax K-S2 and Pentax ist DS2, one is a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both created by Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the K-S2 (20MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor size (APS-C).

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The K-S2 was announced 9 years after the ist DS2 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the K-S2 scores versus the ist DS2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Pentax ist DS2

 K-S2 ist DS2 
ReleasedFebruary 2015August 2005Newer by 116 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k210kCrisper screen (+711k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax K-S2

 ist DS2 K-S2 

Common features in the Pentax K-S2 and Pentax ist DS2

 K-S2 ist DS2 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-S2 offers physical measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-S2 and Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the K-S2 vs the ist DS2.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-S2 and ist DS2 is 64 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by seeing specifications. The pic below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the K-S2 and ist DS2.

Plainly, the two cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-S2 to show extra detail with its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The newer K-S2 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
78
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
50
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
low MP (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax K-S2
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
72
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (678 grams)
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average in class (605 grams)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Sports photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography factors
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (5.4 fps)
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
65
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (678g)
52
lighter than average in class (605g)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (6 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-S2
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
46
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-S2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging highlights
71
screen is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (678 grams)
22
lighter than average in class (605g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video ( pixels)
lack of external microphone port
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Pentax K-S2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-S2 and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K-S2Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-S2 Pentax ist DS2
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2015-02-10 2005-08-22
Body design 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 20 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 5472 x 3648 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 51200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.5"
Display resolution 921k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.4 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes 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
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 678g (1.49 lb) 605g (1.33 lb)
Physical 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 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photos -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $581 -