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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DL2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 front
Portability
54
Imaging
66
Features
62
Overall
64

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900 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
Sony A900
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Announced October 2008
  • Refreshed by Sony A99
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A900, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the ist DL2 (6MP) and A900 (25MP) and the ist DL2 (APS-C) and A900 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The ist DL2 was revealed 3 years earlier than the A900 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the ist DL2 grades vs the A900 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Sony A900

 ist DL2 A900 

Reasons to pick Sony A900 over the Pentax ist DL2

 A900 ist DL2 
AnnouncedOctober 2008January 2006More recent by 33 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k210kCrisper display (+712k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A900

 ist DL2 A900 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax ist DL2 comes with outside measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Sony A900 has proportions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A900 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the ist DL2 compared to the A900.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ist DL2 and A900 is 69 and 54 respectively.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching specifications. The graphic below will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ist DL2 and A900.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ist DL2 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A900 will render greater detail because of its extra 19MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The older ist DL2 will be behind in sensor technology.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax ist DL2
Portrait photography with Sony A900
50
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
71
focusing manually
sensor resolution is amazing (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Street photography advice
Sony A900 Street photography advice
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than average (565g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A900 as a Sports photography camera
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is amazing (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography advice
Sony A900 Travel photography advice
52
lighter than average (565g)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (6MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
54
weather sealing
sensor resolution is amazing (25 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
Landscape photography with Sony A900
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
does not have Timelapse function
72
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is amazing (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
does not have liveview
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging factors
Sony A900 Vlogging factors
22
lighter than average (565 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low ( pixels)
does not have microphone jack
9
no video
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony A900 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DL2 and Sony A900
 Pentax ist DL2Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
General Information
Brand Name Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax ist DL2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2006-01-27 2008-10-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD 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 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3008 x 2008 6048 x 4032
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 210 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.74x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution - None
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 565 gr (1.25 lbs) 895 gr (1.97 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 12.3
DXO Low light rating 639 1431
Other
Battery life - 880 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC card Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32
Storage slots Single 2
Price at release - $2,736