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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DL2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
55
Features
82
Overall
65

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 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 A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed May 2011
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A580, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the ist DL2 (6MP) and A580 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The ist DL2 was launched 6 years prior to the A580 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise view of how the ist DL2 scores against the A580 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Sony A580

 ist DL2 A580 

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Pentax ist DL2

 A580 ist DL2 
RevealedMay 2011January 2006More modern by 64 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k210kClearer screen (+712k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A580

 ist DL2 A580 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax ist DL2 has outer dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony A580 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Look at the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A580 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the ist DL2 versus the A580.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the ist DL2 and A580 is 69 and 64 respectively.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor sizes just by seeing specifications. The pic here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ist DL2 and A580.

To sum up, both cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You can expect the Sony A580 to show more detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged ist DL2 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax ist DL2
Portrait photography with Sony A580
50
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
MP count low (6MP)
73
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax ist DL2
Street photography with Sony A580
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (565 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
75
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax ist DL2
Sports photography with Sony A580
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
77
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking focus
better than average battery pack (1,050 CIPA)
has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography highlights
Sony A580 Travel photography highlights
52
lighter than others (565g)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
MP count low (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
better than average battery pack (1,050 shots)
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography details
Sony A580 Landscape photography details
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (1,050 shots)
has double storage slots
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax ist DL2
Vlogging with Sony A580
22
lighter than others (565g)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video ( pxls)
does not have mic support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic port
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A580
 Pentax ist DL2Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax ist DL2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2006-01-27 2011-05-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2008 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 5 15
Cross type focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 210k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution - 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless No Eye-Fi Connected
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 grams (1.25 lb) 599 grams (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 80
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 13.3
DXO Low light rating 639 1121
Other
Battery life - 1050 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One Dual
Retail cost - $848