Pentax S1 vs Pentax ist DL2

Let's look a bit more closely at the Pentax S1 versus Pentax ist DL2, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are sold by Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the S1 (14MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the S1 (1/2.3") and ist DL2 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

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The S1 was announced 5 years after the ist DL2 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the S1 grades vs the ist DL2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax Optio S1 and Pentax ist DL2. The whole galleries are provided at Pentax S1 Gallery and Pentax ist DL2 Gallery.

If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Pentax S1 offers physical dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax ist DL2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Look at the Pentax S1 versus Pentax ist DL2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the S1 versus the ist DL2.

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the S1 and ist DL2 is 93 and 69 respectively.

Generally, it is difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions merely by checking technical specs. The picture here will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S1 and ist DL2.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S1 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax S1 will resolve more detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The newer S1 provides an edge in sensor technology.