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Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70
Pentax KP front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Revealed January 2017
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 KP vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Following is a thorough overview of the Pentax KP and Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and they are both created by Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the KP (24MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) but they use the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The KP was revealed 11 years after the ist DL2 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the KP matches up vs the ist DL2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Pentax ist DL2

 KP ist DL2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017January 2006More modern by 134 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kSharper display (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Pentax KP

 ist DL2 KP 

Common features in the Pentax KP and Pentax ist DL2

 KP ist DL2 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax KP enjoys physical measurements of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") along with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) while the Pentax ist DL2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

See the Pentax KP and Pentax ist DL2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the KP compared to the ist DL2.

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the KP and ist DL2 is 61 and 69 respectively.

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to envision the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading specs. The image underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the KP and ist DL2.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Pentax KP to offer more detail because of its extra 18 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent KP is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax KP Portrait photography info
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography info
80
focusing manually
MP count good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW formats
50
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax KP Street photography details
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography details
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
good high ISO (819,200)
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than others in class (565 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax KP Sports photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography factors
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
quiet mode (1/24,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
terrible battery power (390 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax KP
Travel photography with Pentax ist DL2
61
environment proofing
MP count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery power (390 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than others in class (565g)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (6MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax KP
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
terrible battery power (390 per charge)
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax KP
Vlogging with Pentax ist DL2
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
22
lighter than others in class (565g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution ( pixels)
no external microphone support
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Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KP and Pentax ist DL2
 Pentax KPPentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax KP Pentax ist DL2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2017-01-26 2006-01-27
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip PRIME IV -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.6mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 366.6mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 6016 x 4000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 819200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 27 5
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 921k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/24000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 7.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703 gr (1.55 lb) 565 gr (1.25 lb)
Dimensions 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 390 shots -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID D-LI109 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) SD/MMC card
Card slots One One
Price at launch $747 -