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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Pentax ist DL2 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Revealed January 2006
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Raise to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Released September 2016
  • Superseded the Sony A99
Photography Glossary

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Pentax ist DL2 versus Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the ist DL2 (6MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the ist DL2 (APS-C) and A99 II (Full frame) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The ist DL2 was released 11 years earlier than the A99 II which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ist DL2 matches up vs the A99 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Sony A99 II

 ist DL2 A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Pentax ist DL2

 A99 II ist DL2 
ReleasedSeptember 2016January 2006More modern by 129 months
Screen typeFully articulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1229k210kClearer screen (+1019k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A99 II

 ist DL2 A99 II 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax ist DL2 has got outside 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) while the Sony A99 II has sizing of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") with a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Look at the Pentax ist DL2 versus Sony A99 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the ist DL2 versus the A99 II.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ist DL2 and A99 II is 69 and 57 respectively.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading a spec sheet. The pic below should give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ist DL2 and A99 II.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ist DL2 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Sony A99 II will offer greater detail as a result of its extra 36MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged ist DL2 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography info
Sony A99 II Portrait photography info
51
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
low megapixels (6MP)
86
manual focus
great resolution (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Street photography information
Sony A99 II Street photography information
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (565 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
76
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography info
Sony A99 II Sports photography info
39
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery power (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax ist DL2
Travel photography with Sony A99 II
52
lighter than competition (565 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (6MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
70
environment proofing
has bluetooth
great resolution (42 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery power (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography info
Sony A99 II Landscape photography info
47
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
lack of Time Lapse mode
82
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great resolution (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery power (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax ist DL2
Vlogging with Sony A99 II
22
lighter than competition (565g)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution ( pixels)
lack of external mic jack
78
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have external mic port
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A99 II
 Pentax ist DL2Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model Pentax ist DL2 Sony Alpha A99 II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2006-01-27 2016-09-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 42 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3008 x 2008 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 3200 25600
Highest boosted ISO - 102400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 5 399
Cross focus points - 79
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully articulated
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 210 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 12.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution - 3840x2160
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless No Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 565g (1.25 pounds) 849g (1.87 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 65 92
DXO Color Depth score 22.9 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 11.1 13.4
DXO Low light score 639 2317
Other
Battery life - 490 photos
Battery form - NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Storage slots 1 Two
Retail cost - $3,198