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Pentax Q vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40
Pentax Q front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Pentax Q vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • Refreshed by Pentax Q10
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
  • Announced August 2005
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Pentax Q vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

The following is a extensive review of the Pentax Q and Pentax ist DS2, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR and both of them are built by Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the Q (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the Q (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

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The Q was released 5 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the Q grades versus the ist DS2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Pentax ist DS2

 Q ist DS2 
AnnouncedJune 2011August 2005Newer by 72 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k210kSharper screen (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Pentax Q

 ist DS2 Q 

Common features in the Pentax Q and Pentax ist DS2

 Q ist DS2 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Pentax Q vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax Q has outside measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check out the Pentax Q and Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the Q vs the ist DS2.

Pentax Q vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the Q and ist DS2 is 93 and 68 respectively.

Pentax Q vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Q vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions just by checking technical specs. The pic below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the Q and ist DS2.

As you can tell, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The Q featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax Q will give more detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more recent Q should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax Q vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Pentax Q vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax Q Portrait photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography features
45
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
50
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax Q
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (180g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (605 grams)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax Q
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (230 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery (230 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
52
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax Q Landscape photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography advice
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery (230 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
46
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (6 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax Q
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (180 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone jack
22
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video ( pxls)
does not have external mic port
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Pentax Q vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Q and Pentax ist DS2
 Pentax QPentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax Q Pentax ist DS2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-06-23 2005-08-22
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 125 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 25 11
Lens
Lens mount Pentax Q Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 8 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/2000 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 180 grams (0.40 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 47 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 189 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 shots -
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 recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $695 -