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Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53
Pentax K20D front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Older Model is Pentax K10D
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced January 2006
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Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Pentax K20D and Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both designed by Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the K20D (15MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The K20D was manufactured 2 years later than the ist DL2 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the K20D matches up vs the ist DL2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Pentax ist DL2

 K20D ist DL2 
AnnouncedJune 2008January 2006More recent by 30 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kClearer screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Pentax K20D

 ist DL2 K20D 

Common features in the Pentax K20D and Pentax ist DL2

 K20D ist DL2 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K20D has physical measurements of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) while the Pentax ist DL2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Compare the Pentax K20D and Pentax ist DL2 in the latest Camera and 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 at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the K20D and the ist DL2.

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the K20D and ist DL2 is 59 and 69 respectively.

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by looking through specs. The visual underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the K20D and ist DL2.

As you can plainly see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax K20D to result in more detail due to its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern K20D should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K20D as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Portrait photography camera
72
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
51
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K20D Street photography information
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography information
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (565g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K20D Sports photography info
Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography info
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
39
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K20D Travel photography info
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography info
64
weather sealing
MP count good (15MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have selfie friendly display
52
lighter than competitors in class (565 grams)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K20D Landscape photography information
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography information
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
small screen (2.7 inches)
47
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax K20D
Vlogging with Pentax ist DL2
9
lack of video recording
22
lighter than competitors in class (565g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low ( resolution)
does not have external mic port
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Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K20D and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax K20DPentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K20D Pentax ist DL2
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2008-06-25 2006-01-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.4 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 365.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 15 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 4672 x 3104 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 5
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 2.5"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None -
Mic 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 None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800g (1.76 pounds) 565g (1.25 pounds)
Dimensions 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 65
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 11.1
DXO Low light rating 639 639
Other
Battery ID D-LI50 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $700 -