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Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52
Pentax K-r front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Released March 2011
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
  • Announced August 2005
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below is a detailed review of the Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and they are both offered by Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the K-r (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The K-r was announced 5 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a brief summary of how the K-r matches up vs the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-r ist DS2 
AnnouncedMarch 2011August 2005More recent by 68 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k210kSharper screen (+711k dot)

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

 ist DS2 K-r 

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

 K-r ist DS2 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera often, you should factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax K-r provides outer measurements 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 DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check the Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the K-r versus the ist DS2.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the K-r and ist DS2 is 67 and 68 respectively.

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

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor measurements simply by checking out specifications. The graphic here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the K-r and ist DS2.

Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different resolution. You can count on the Pentax K-r to show extra detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots far more aggressively. The younger K-r provides an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-r Portrait photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography information
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
50
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-r Street photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography info
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition (605 grams)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K-r Sports photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography details
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (470 CIPA)
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-r Travel photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography advice
47
has built in flash
not so great battery life (470 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competition (605g)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-r
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (470 shots)
46
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-r Vlogging factors
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging factors
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
22
lighter than competition (605 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great ( resolution)
does not have external microphone support
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Pentax K-r vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-r and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K-rPentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-r Pentax ist DS2
Type Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-03-11 2005-08-22
Physical type 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 support
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 921k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes 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
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 -
Video format Motion JPEG -
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 598g (1.32 lbs) 605g (1.33 lbs)
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 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 755 not tested
Other
Battery life 470 photos -
Battery style 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 shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/MMC card
Card slots One One
Retail cost $1,100 -