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Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released December 2009
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
  • Announced January 2006
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Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2, former being a Entry-Level DSLR while the other is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are produced by Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-x (12MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-x was manufactured 3 years later than the ist DL2 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise view of how the K-x matches up against the ist DL2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 K-x ist DL2 
AnnouncedDecember 2009January 2006Fresher by 48 months
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kCrisper display (+20k dot)

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

 ist DL2 K-x 

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

 K-x ist DL2 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-x has got outside dimensions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst 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).

Look at the Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view size comparison of the K-x compared to the ist DL2.

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the K-x and ist DL2 is 69 and 69 respectively.

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

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching technical specs. The photograph here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the K-x and ist DL2.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Pentax K-x to result in extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics way more aggressively. The fresher K-x will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography factors
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography details
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography details
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (565g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-x
Sports photography with Pentax ist DL2
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (1,900 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
39
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K-x
Travel photography with Pentax ist DL2
54
better than average battery (1,900 shots)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than competition in class (565 grams)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (6MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-x
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
61
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (1,900 per charge)
small screen (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
47
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x Vlogging information
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging information
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic support
22
lighter than competition in class (565 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low ( resolution)
missing external mic socket
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Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax K-xPentax ist DL2
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-x Pentax ist DL2
Category Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-12-23 2006-01-27
Physical type Compact SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Prime -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 4288 x 2848 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 5
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 16.00 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 pounds) 565 grams (1.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 72 65
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 11.1
DXO Low light rating 811 639
Other
Battery life 1900 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $600 -