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Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Pentax Optio W90 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax W90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 164g - 108 x 59 x 25mm
  • Revealed February 2010
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
  • Revealed August 2005
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Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Pentax W90 versus Pentax ist DS2, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both are built by Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the W90 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the W90 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

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The W90 was unveiled 4 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax W90 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the W90 scores versus the ist DS2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax W90 over the Pentax ist DS2

 W90 ist DS2 
RevealedFebruary 2010August 2005Newer by 55 months
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kSharper screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax W90

 ist DS2 W90 

Common features in the Pentax W90 and Pentax ist DS2

 W90 ist DS2 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax W90 has got exterior dimensions of 108mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 164 grams (0.36 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax W90 versus Pentax ist DS2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the W90 against the ist DS2.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the W90 and ist DS2 is 94 and 68 respectively.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions just by going over specifications. The image below should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the W90 and ist DS2.

To sum up, both of those cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The W90 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax W90 will deliver extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots much more aggressively. The younger W90 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax W90 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography highlights
27
has manual focus
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
50
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax W90 Street photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography info
54
environment proof
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax W90 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
24
environment proof
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
slow fps (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax W90
Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
64
environment proof
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax W90 Landscape photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography features
37
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
environment proof
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax W90 Vlogging factors
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging factors
25
relatively wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
22
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution ( resolution)
missing mic support
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Pentax W90 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax W90 and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax Optio W90Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Pentax Pentax
Model type Pentax Optio W90 Pentax ist DS2
Type Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-02-24 2005-08-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Prime -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 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 screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.90 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 164g (0.36 pounds) 605g (1.33 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 59 x 25mm (4.3" x 2.3" x 1.0") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 ID D-LI68 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $120 -