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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1

Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Pentax ist DL2 front
 
Sigma SD1 front
Portability
77
Imaging
55
Features
43
Overall
50

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1 Key Specs

Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Revealed January 2006
Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 0 - 0
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
  • Launched September 2010
  • Successor is Sigma SD1 Merrill
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1 Overview

In this article, we will be looking at the Pentax ist DL2 and Sigma SD1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Sigma. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the ist DL2 (6MP) and SD1 (15MP) but they come with the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The ist DL2 was announced 5 years prior to the SD1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ist DL2 scores against the SD1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Sigma SD1

 ist DL2 SD1 

Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Pentax ist DL2

 SD1 ist DL2 
LaunchedSeptember 2010January 2006More modern by 56 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k210kClearer screen (+250k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DL2 and Sigma SD1

 ist DL2 SD1 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax ist DL2 features external measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs) and the Sigma SD1 has sizing of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") accompanied by a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).

Check the Pentax ist DL2 and Sigma SD1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the ist DL2 and the SD1.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ist DL2 and SD1 is 69 and 77 respectively.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through specifications. The image underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ist DL2 and SD1.

To sum up, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different megapixels. You can count on the Sigma SD1 to provide more detail with its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged ist DL2 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Portrait photography camera
51
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
65
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Street photography details
Sigma SD1 Street photography details
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (565 grams)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
62
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
maximum ISO low (0)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Sports photography highlights
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
56
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography features
Sigma SD1 Travel photography features
52
lighter than average in class (565g)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
65
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Landscape photography camera
47
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
no Timelapse mode
61
manual focus
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
maximum ISO low (0)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging factors
Sigma SD1 Vlogging factors
22
lighter than average in class (565g)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video ( pixels)
no microphone port
9
lack of video recording
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DL2 and Sigma SD1
 Pentax ist DL2Sigma SD1
General Information
Company Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax ist DL2 Sigma SD1
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2006-01-27 2010-09-21
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Dual True II
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 24 x 16mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 384.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Peak resolution 3008 x 2008 4800 x 3200
Highest native ISO 3200 -
Minimum native ISO 200 -
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 5 11
Cross type focus points - 2
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF Sigma SA
Available lenses 151 76
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 210 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 15s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution - None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless No None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 565 gr (1.25 lb) -
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 639 not tested
Other
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC card Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible)
Storage slots One One
Cost at release - $2,339