Pentax W60 vs Pentax ist DS2

In this article, we are evaluating the Pentax W60 and Pentax ist DS2, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR and both are manufactured by Pentax. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the W60 (10MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the W60 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The W60 was manufactured 3 years after the ist DS2 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax W60 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a short summation of how the W60 scores against the ist DS2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax Optio W60 and Pentax ist DS2. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax W60 Gallery and Pentax ist DS2 Gallery.

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Pentax W60 provides exterior dimensions of 98mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Examine the Pentax W60 and Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the W60 vs the ist DS2.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the W60 and ist DS2 is 94 and 68 respectively.

Often, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by going through specs. The picture underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the W60 and ist DS2.

All in all, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The W60 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax W60 will produce more detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern W60 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.