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Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
61
Imaging
68
Features
76
Overall
71
Pentax KP front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Revealed January 2017
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 KP vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

On this page, we will be analyzing the Pentax KP and Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR cameras and they are both sold by Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the KP (24MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) but both cameras provide the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The KP was revealed 11 years after the ist DS2 which is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the KP grades against the ist DS2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Pentax ist DS2

 KP ist DS2 
ReleasedJanuary 2017August 2005Newer by 140 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k210kClearer screen (+711k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax KP

 ist DS2 KP 

Common features in the Pentax KP and Pentax ist DS2

 KP ist DS2 
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax KP enjoys physical dimensions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Pentax KP and Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the KP and the ist DS2.

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the KP and ist DS2 is 61 and 68 respectively.

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching technical specs. The picture underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the KP and ist DS2.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax KP to render more detail because of its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures more aggressively. The fresher KP will have an edge in sensor tech.

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax KP Portrait photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography details
80
focusing manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
exports RAW files
50
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax KP Street photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography factors
76
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
very good high ISO (819,200)
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax KP Sports photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography highlights
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
silent shutter (1/24,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
not so great battery power (390 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax KP Travel photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography features
62
weather sealing
decent MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery power (390 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than competitors in class (605 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax KP
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
78
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
not so great battery power (390 CIPA)
46
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax KP Vlogging info
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging info
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
22
lighter than competitors in class (605 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video ( pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Pentax KP vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax KP and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax KPPentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax KP Pentax ist DS2
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2017-01-26 2005-08-22
Body design 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 24MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 6016 x 4000 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 819200 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
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 27 11
Cross type focus points 25 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.64x
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 speed 7.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance 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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 703 grams (1.55 lbs) 605 grams (1.33 lbs)
Physical 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 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
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 media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $747 -