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Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44
Pentax Q-S1 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Released August 2014
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced August 2005
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Pentax Q-S1 and Pentax ist DS2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are sold by Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the Q-S1 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the Q-S1 (1/1.7") and ist DS2 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The Q-S1 was manufactured 9 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the Q-S1 matches up against the ist DS2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Pentax ist DS2

 Q-S1 ist DS2 
AnnouncedAugust 2014August 2005More recent by 109 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kCrisper display (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax Q-S1

 ist DS2 Q-S1 

Common features in the Pentax Q-S1 and Pentax ist DS2

 Q-S1 ist DS2 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera often, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax Q-S1 comes with outside measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax Q-S1 and Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the Q-S1 vs the ist DS2.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Q-S1 and ist DS2 is 92 and 68 respectively.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading a spec sheet. The graphic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the Q-S1 and ist DS2.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The Q-S1 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax Q-S1 will offer greater detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The newer Q-S1 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography highlights
46
has manual focus
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
51
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Street photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (203g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (605g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
37
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
bad battery pack (250 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
39
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography features
60
lighter than average in class (203g)
has built in flash
bad battery pack (250 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
52
lighter than competition (605 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Landscape photography camera
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/1.7")
bad battery pack (250 per charge)
47
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging features
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging features
35
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (203g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of microphone jack
22
lighter than competition (605g)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low ( resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q-S1 and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax Q-S1Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Q-S1 Pentax ist DS2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2014-08-04 2005-08-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Q Engine -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/1.7" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 7.44 x 5.58mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 41.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax Q Pentax KAF
Total lenses 8 151
Crop factor 4.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.90 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 203 grams (0.45 lbs) 605 grams (1.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI68 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $250 -