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Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50
Pentax K-x front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DS2 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 Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
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-x vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Pentax K-x and Pentax ist DS2, one being a Entry-Level DSLR and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both are built by Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the K-x (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K-x was manufactured 4 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the K-x matches up vs the ist DS2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 K-x ist DS2 
ReleasedDecember 2009August 2005More recent by 53 months
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kCrisper screen (+20k dot)

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

 ist DS2 K-x 

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

 K-x ist DS2 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to lug around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and size. The Pentax K-x has got outside measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Pentax K-x and Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the K-x and the ist DS2.

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the K-x and ist DS2 is 69 and 68 respectively.

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

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor measurements only by going over specs. The visual underneath might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the K-x and ist DS2.

All in all, both of the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Pentax K-x to deliver extra detail due to its extra 6MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The younger K-x is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-x Portrait photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography features
63
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
50
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-x Street photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography features
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (605g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-x
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (1,900 CIPA)
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (5.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-x as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
54
better than average battery (1,900 shots)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
52
lighter than others in class (605g)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-x
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (1,900 CIPA)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
46
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-x Vlogging information
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging information
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
22
lighter than others in class (605g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low ( resolution)
does not have external mic jack
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Pentax K-x vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-x and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K-xPentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K-x Pentax ist DS2
Category Entry-Level DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-12-23 2005-08-22
Body design 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
Highest resolution 4288 x 2848 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest boosted ISO 12800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/6000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 580 grams (1.28 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
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 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 811 not tested
Other
Battery life 1900 photographs -
Battery format 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
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $600 -