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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390

Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Pentax ist DL2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A390 front
Portability
66
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 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
  • Introduced January 2006
Sony A390
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 549g - 128 x 97 x 86mm
  • Released July 2010
  • Superseded the Sony A380
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the ist DL2 (6MP) and A390 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (APS-C).

Photography Glossary

The ist DL2 was launched 5 years earlier than the A390 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A390 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the ist DL2 scores versus the A390 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Sony A390

 ist DL2 A390 

Reasons to pick Sony A390 over the Pentax ist DL2

 A390 ist DL2 
ReleasedJuly 2010January 2006More modern by 54 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kSharper screen (+20k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A390

 ist DL2 A390 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera, you should factor its weight and size. The Pentax ist DL2 enjoys outer 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) whilst the Sony A390 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4") having a weight of 549 grams (1.21 lbs).

Check out the Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the ist DL2 against the A390.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ist DL2 and A390 is 69 and 66 respectively.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through specs. The pic underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ist DL2 and A390.

All in all, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should count on the Sony A390 to provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged ist DL2 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A390 as a Portrait photography camera
51
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (6 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Street photography advice
Sony A390 Street photography advice
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (565 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography features
Sony A390 Sports photography features
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
60
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
not so great battery (230 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography info
Sony A390 Travel photography info
52
lighter than average in class (565g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (6MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
53
good resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery (230 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography information
Sony A390 Landscape photography information
47
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
61
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
not so great battery (230 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging factors
Sony A390 Vlogging factors
22
lighter than average in class (565 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution ( pxls)
doesn't have mic port
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A390 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A390
 Pentax ist DL2Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax ist DL2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A390
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2006-01-27 2010-07-28
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3008 x 2008 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 210 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.49x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution - None
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 565 grams (1.25 pounds) 549 grams (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 128 x 97 x 86mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 65 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 22.5
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 11.5
DXO Low light rating 639 607
Other
Battery life - 230 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost - $500