Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580
69 Imaging
44 Features
33 Overall
39
64 Imaging
55 Features
82 Overall
65
Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 Key Specs
(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
(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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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).
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe 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 Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Pentax ist DL2 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A580. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax ist DL2 Gallery & Sony A580 Gallery.
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | May 2011 | January 2006 | More modern by 64 months | |
| Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
| Screen dimensions | 3" | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.5") | |
| Screen resolution | 922k | 210k | Clearer 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A580 Specifications
| Pentax ist DL2 | Sony 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 |