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Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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
  • Revealed January 2006
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Pentax K-r and Pentax ist DL2, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are designed by Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-r (12MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-r was announced 5 years later than the ist DL2 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going into a more detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the K-r matches up vs the ist DL2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 K-r ist DL2 
RevealedMarch 2011January 2006Fresher by 63 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kClearer display (+711k dot)

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

 ist DL2 K-r 

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

 K-r ist DL2 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-r comes with external dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax K-r and Pentax ist DL2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the K-r vs the ist DL2.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the K-r and ist DL2 is 67 and 69 respectively.

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

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the K-r and ist DL2.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should anticipate the Pentax K-r to resolve extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images a bit more aggressively. The more modern K-r should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography factors
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
51
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography advice
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography advice
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (565 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography details
Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography details
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (470 CIPA)
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r Travel photography details
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography details
47
has built in flash
terrible battery life (470 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than competition (565 grams)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
low MP (6MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-r Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography factors
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery life (470 per charge)
47
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging factors
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging factors
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
does not have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic port
22
lighter than competition (565g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video res low ( pxls)
no external microphone port
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax K-rPentax ist DL2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-r Pentax ist DL2
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-03-11 2006-01-27
Body design Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime II -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 2848 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 5
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/6000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 -
Video format Motion JPEG -
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 598g (1.32 lb) 565g (1.25 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 72 65
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 11.1
DXO Low light rating 755 639
Other
Battery life 470 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109,4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $1,100 -