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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9

Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Pentax ist DL2 front
 
Sigma SD9 front
Portability
54
Imaging
39
Features
27
Overall
34

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 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
  • Launched January 2006
Sigma SD9
(Full Review)
  • 3MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 950g - 152 x 120 x 79mm
  • Launched November 2002
  • Updated by Sigma SD10
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 Overview

Following is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Pentax and Sigma. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the ist DL2 (6MP) and SD9 (3MP) but they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The ist DL2 was announced 3 years after the SD9 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise view of how the ist DL2 scores against the SD9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Sigma SD9

 ist DL2 SD9 
LaunchedJanuary 2006November 2002More modern by 39 months
Screen dimension2.5"1.8"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution210k130kClearer screen (+80k dot)

Reasons to pick Sigma SD9 over the Pentax ist DL2

 SD9 ist DL2 

Common features in the Pentax ist DL2 and Sigma SD9

 ist DL2 SD9 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax ist DL2 has got external dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Sigma SD9 has proportions of 152mm x 120mm x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1") having a weight of 950 grams (2.09 lbs).

Look at the Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the ist DL2 compared to the SD9.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ist DL2 and SD9 is 69 and 54 respectively.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing technical specs. The image below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ist DL2 and SD9.

As you have seen, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can expect the Pentax ist DL2 to deliver extra detail with its extra 3MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger ist DL2 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax ist DL2
Portrait photography with Sigma SD9
51
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
47
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
low megapixels (3MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Street photography factors
Sigma SD9 Street photography factors
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others in class (565g)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
43
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others in class (950g)
low maximum ISO (400)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography info
Sigma SD9 Sports photography info
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
36
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (3MP)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax ist DL2
Travel photography with Sigma SD9
52
lighter than others in class (565g)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
29
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than others in class (950 grams)
low megapixels (3MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
Landscape photography with Sigma SD9
47
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
41
has manual focus
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (1.8")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (3MP)
low maximum ISO (400)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax ist DL2
Vlogging with Sigma SD9
22
lighter than others in class (565g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video ( pxls)
does not have mic socket
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sigma SD9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DL2 and Sigma SD9
 Pentax ist DL2Sigma SD9
General Information
Make Pentax Sigma
Model Pentax ist DL2 Sigma SD9
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2006-01-27 2002-11-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 3 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 3008 x 2008 2268 x 1512
Max native ISO 3200 400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 5 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF Sigma SA
Total lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.7
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 1.8"
Screen resolution 210 thousand dot 130 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.77x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution - None
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless No None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 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 565 gr (1.25 pounds) 950 gr (2.09 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 152 x 120 x 79mm (6.0" x 4.7" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 639 not tested
Other
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC card Compact Flash Type I or II
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch - $3,001