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Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53
Pentax K20D front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2 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
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Superseded the Pentax K10D
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Revealed August 2005
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Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax K20D and Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both are created by Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the K20D (15MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The K20D was manufactured 2 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the K20D grades against the ist DS2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Pentax ist DS2

 K20D ist DS2 
RevealedJune 2008August 2005Fresher by 35 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kSharper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax K20D

 ist DS2 K20D 

Common features in the Pentax K20D and Pentax ist DS2

 K20D ist DS2 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Pentax K20D offers physical dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Look at the Pentax K20D and Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the K20D and the ist DS2.

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the K20D and ist DS2 is 59 and 68 respectively.

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the K20D and ist DS2.

As you have seen, both of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different MP. You can expect to see the Pentax K20D to offer you extra detail due to its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The more modern K20D provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K20D Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography factors
72
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
51
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax K20D Street photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography info
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax K20D Sports photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography highlights
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax K20D
Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
64
environment proofing
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K20D Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography factors
71
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
47
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K20D Vlogging factors
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging factors
9
can't shoot video
22
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great ( pxls)
missing external mic support
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Pentax K20D vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K20D and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax K20DPentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax K20D Pentax ist DS2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-06-25 2005-08-22
Physical type 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
Max resolution 4672 x 3104 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.5"
Resolution of display 230k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None -
Mic 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 None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 800 grams (1.76 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
Physical 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 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 639 not tested
Other
Battery ID D-LI50 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $700 -