Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony RX100 V: A Hands-On Camera Comparison Decade Apart

In the fast-evolving world of digital photography, two cameras separated by a decade can offer surprisingly distinct user experiences and imaging results. I recently revisited these two intriguing models: the Pentax ist DL2, a 2006-era advanced DSLR aimed at mid-level enthusiasts, and the Sony RX100 V, the 2016 large sensor compact powerhouse celebrated for its pocketability and speed. Through extensive personal testing across multiple genres - from landscape to wildlife, studio portraiture to street photography - I’m excited to share my detailed findings with fellow photography enthusiasts and working professionals.

This comparison aims to go beyond spec sheets and marketing claims. Drawing on my 15+ years testing hundreds of DSLR, mirrorless, and compact cameras, I’ll explore how these models perform in the real world, highlighting tangible advantages and compromises. I’ll also dive into the technical underpinnings like sensor technology, autofocus systems, and ergonomics, helping you understand which camera suits your creative vision and budget.

A Tale of Two Bodies: Size, Feel & Usability

Let’s start by physically comparing these two models, because size and ergonomics shape the shooting experience profoundly - even before you frame a single shot.

The Pentax ist DL2 is a classic mid-size DSLR shape, weighing in at 565 grams and measuring 125 x 93 x 66 mm. It offers the typical bulky grip many SLR shooters appreciate for long sessions. The camera’s pentaprism optical viewfinder and traditional control layout give it a familiar, tactile feel. However, a notable omission in today’s terms is the lack of an articulated or touchscreen LCD, featuring instead a modest 2.5-inch fixed screen with a low resolution of 210k pixels.

In contrast, the Sony RX100 V tips the scales at 299 grams and is significantly smaller at just 102 x 58 x 41 mm due to its compact fixed-lens design. Despite its small size, it packs a tilting 3-inch LCD with a crisp 1229k-dot resolution and a pop-up electronic viewfinder boasting 100% coverage and 2359k dots - the latter a stark step up from the Pentax’s OVF in both clarity and accuracy.

Size matters for specific uses. The Pentax’s weight and heft deliver stability especially when paired with bigger lenses - ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who prize a substantial camera in hand. Meanwhile, the RX100 V’s petite profile and tilt screen make it perfect for travel, street, and candid photography, where discretion and portability strongly influence compositional opportunities.

The Heart of the Image: Sensor Size and Quality

Fundamental to image quality is the sensor, and the gap between these cameras encapsulates a decade of sensor tech evolution.

The Pentax ist DL2 uses a 6-megapixel APS-C CCD sensor sized 23.5 x 15.7 mm, which was common for mid-level DSLRs in the mid-2000s. CCD sensors, while respected for their color rendition and smoothness back then, face limitations today in noise performance and dynamic range. The DXOmark scores reflect this, with a moderate overall rating of 65, a respectable 22.9-bit color depth, and an 11.1 EV dynamic range.

The Sony RX100 V sports a far smaller 1-inch type BSI-CMOS sensor at 13.2 x 8.8 mm but jumps massively in resolution to 20 megapixels. The back-illuminated CMOS design significantly improves light gathering, enabling higher ISO performance and dynamic range - claims supported by its superior DXOmark 70 overall score, a nearly equal color depth of 22.8 bits, and an improved 12.4 EV dynamic range.

In practice, this means the RX100 V can glean a richer tonal palette across shadows and highlights and produce cleaner results at higher ISOs - a distinct advantage for low-light and night photography. The Pentax’s APS-C sensor benefits image size and lens flexibility but cannot compete on pure sensor tech performance, nor can it approach the RX100’s dynamic range finesse or noise floor.

Seeing the World: Viewfinder and Screen Comparison

Beyond sensor specs, what you see during composition directly influences capture precision and user satisfaction.

The Pentax ist DL2 adheres to an optical viewfinder covering 95% of the frame at 0.57x magnification, with no digital overlay or electronic aids - typical of DSLR design at the time. Its fixed 2.5-inch LCD aids image review but lacks live view or touch responsiveness.

The Sony RX100 V advances this paradigm with a bright 100% coverage electronic viewfinder enhanced by a 0.59x magnification and high resolution. What I appreciated is the ability to preview exposure, white balance, and focus peaking through the EVF in real time - tools that are invaluable for achieving precise results quickly. The 3-inch tilt LCD facilitates creative angles, such as waist-level shooting or selfies, though it lacks touchscreen functions.

From practical experience, I found the RX100 V’s EVF much easier on the eyes and more reliable under varying ambient light. The Pentax OVF’s slight coverage gap and classic optical limitations meant focusing required more attention, especially when shooting subjects requiring critical sharpness.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy in the Moment

Arguably the most decisive factor between a decade-old DSLR and a more modern compact is autofocus capability, which heavily impacts genres like wildlife, sports, or candid street photography.

The Pentax ist DL2 is equipped with 5 phase-detection AF points - modest even in 2006 standards - with selective but no face or eye detection. Continuous AF is supported, but with no tracking or predictive focus modes. This AF system performs acceptably for posed subjects, landscapes, or studio work but lags behind in action or unpredictable settings.

The RX100 V features a sophisticated hybrid system combining fast on-sensor phase-detection with contrast detection, totaling 315 focus points. It supports continuous AF with eye and face detection tracking, maximizing accuracy on moving subjects. My real-world tests confirm its ability to maintain focus on birds in flight and fast-moving athletes, something the Pentax struggles with due to limited AF zones and slower autofocus.

Autofocus performance translates directly into fewer missed shots when capturing fleeting moments, especially in low light when focus assistance falters and lens apertures narrow.

Burst Shooting and Shutter: Capturing Speed and Silence

Fast shooters require responsive shutter mechanics and high burst rates for precise action capture.

The Pentax ist DL2 offers a max shutter speed of 1/4000s and a continuous burst rate of 3 fps. While serviceable for general photography, this is limiting for fast sports or wildlife action sequences, where high frame rates capture peak decisive moments.

The Sony RX100 V features an electronic shutter capable of speeds up to 1/32000s and a blazing 24 fps burst rate with full autofocus tracking. In real-world sports tests, this speed allowed me to capture athletes mid-motion crisply across dozens of frames per second, giving ample selection to pick the perfect frame. The silent shutter mode is a bonus for stealth shooting, allowing discreet capture in quiet environments.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

One of the primary advantages of the Pentax ist DL2’s DSLR design is access to a vast lens library. With compatibility for 151 Pentax KAF lenses - including primes, zooms, macro, and specialty lenses - users enjoy immense creative freedom.

In contrast, the Sony RX100 V’s fixed 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 zoom lens covers a useful everyday range with bright aperture, but versatility is inherently constrained by its non-interchangeable design.

For specialized genres such as macro, wildlife with telephoto reach, or ultra-wide architectural landscapes, the Pentax’s system adaptability gives it a significant edge - assuming the user invests in quality lenses over time. Conversely, for travel, street, or casual shooting, the RX100 V’s all-in-one optic and compact form factor present a compelling convenience without sacrificing image quality.

Build Quality, Durability & Environmental Resistance

Neither model features weather sealing or ruggedization, though the Pentax’s DSLR build feels more robust due to heavier magnesium alloy construction. The RX100 V’s compact design emphasizes portability over extreme durability but remains solidly built with premium materials.

Neither camera claims water, dust, shock, or freeze protection, limiting use in harsh weather conditions unless additional protective gear is used.

Battery Life and Storage

The Pentax ist DL2 uses 4 AA batteries - a mixed blessing. While convenient due to wide availability, longevity is limited compared to lithium-ion accumulators, requiring frequent replacements or carrying spares on longer shoots.

The RX100 V uses a rechargeable NP-BX1 Li-ion battery with CIPA-rated life of roughly 220 shots. While not outstanding, this is manageable given the camera’s compactness and the fact that USB charging is supported (including power bank use).

Both support single SD card storage, with the Sony additionally accommodating Memory Stick formats. Speed Class ratings and buffer depth favor the RX100 V for sustained shooting sessions.

Practical Use Cases Across Photography Genres

I’ve tested both cameras extensively in several photographic disciplines to provide nuanced use case advice.

Portrait Photography

The Pentax ist DL2’s APS-C sensor offers lovely skin tones and pleasant tonal gradations, especially when paired with high-quality primes. However, its 6MP resolution limits cropping and large print potential. Focus precision is good but lacks modern eye detection autofocus, demanding more manual focus skill.

The Sony RX100 V’s 20MP sensor, combined with fast lens aperture and face/eye AF, yields sharp, vibrant portraits with creamy background blur from 70mm equivalent focal length. Its tilt screen also eases posing and framing. However, the 1-inch sensor restricts bokeh compared to APS-C or full frame models.

Landscape Photography

The Pentax’s sensor size and low ISO noise (best between 200-800 ISO) deliver solid files that upscale well for prints. Its fuller dynamic range aids in scenes with challenging light. The DSLR’s optical viewfinder assists in composition without delay or latency.

The RX100 V shines with a broader native ISO range and excellent dynamic range but must be stopped down more to maximize sharpness. Its sensor size limits ultimate detail resolution when cropped heavily. The lack of weatherproofing is a consideration for outdoor rugged use.

Wildlife and Sports

The RX100 V dominates here due to advanced autofocus tracking, high frame rates, and silent shutter options enabling discreet capture of skittish subjects. Its zoom range is modest but reasonably versatile for casual wildlife.

The Pentax, hampered by slower AF and burst speed, struggles with fast-moving subjects, though pairing it with telephoto K lenses improves reach and manual focus control.

Street and Travel Photography

The RX100 V’s compactness, fast lens, and silent shooting position it as an excellent street traveler’s camera. The tilting screen and EVF ensure versatility in diverse lighting and angles.

The Pentax is bulkier and more conspicuous, requiring more setup time but rewarding by enabling longer duration shoots where interchangeable lenses let you prepare for a wider range of scenarios.

Macro and Night Photography

Pentax’s lens ecosystem again allows macro specialists to attach dedicated macro lenses with focusing aids. While limited in stabilization, careful tripod use resolves this.

The RX100 V’s minimum focus distance of 5cm and optical stabilization facilitate handheld macro shots. Its high ISO sensitivity and excellent noise control lend advantage in low-light and astrophotography scenarios.

Video Capabilities

The Pentax ist DL2 offers no video functionality, which aligns with digital DSLRs of its era.

The Sony RX100 V supports 4K UHD 30p video at 100 Mbps with advanced codecs, Optical Image Stabilization, and live autofocus during filming - features that empower hybrid shooters. While lacking microphone and headphone jacks limits professional sound control, its video quality punches well above compact camera expectations.

Connectivity Features

Connectivity options reflect their production eras. The Pentax ist DL2 offers only USB 1.0 – painfully slow and lacking wireless ability.

The RX100 V gains an edge with built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for wireless transfer and remote control through a companion app, greatly enhancing workflow flexibility for modern photographers.

Overall Performance Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

Breaking down the DXOmark scores and my in-field scoring, the RX100 V achieves superior marks across most categories - particularly in autofocus accuracy, burst rate, and video function. The Pentax excels in sensor size-dependent image quality attributes but falls short technologically in autofocus and versatility.

Control Layout and User Interface

A quick glance at the top panel layout reveals differences in camera operation style.

The Pentax ist DL2 uses traditional DSLR dials and buttons with a dedicated mode dial - a boon for tactile control and muscle memory users. The interface is straightforward but can feel dated lacking touchscreen.

The RX100 V packs many functions into fewer physical controls augmented by a menu-driven interface navigated through a joystick and buttons. Despite compact size, Sony provides customization options though with a slight learning curve on the well-implemented but dense menu system.

Real-World Image Gallery

To demonstrate the practical impact of these technical differences, here are side-by-side sample images covering diverse scenarios.

Pentax ist DL2 front Pentax ist DL2 screen back Sony RX100 V front Sony RX100 V screen back

You’ll notice the Pentax’s images possess slightly more natural color tonality and a classic rendering aesthetic, while the Sony’s images showcase more detail and punch, with cleaner shadows and better highlight preservation thanks to its dynamic range.

Summarizing the Strengths and Weaknesses

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Pentax ist DL2 if:

• You value a traditional DSLR experience with an optical viewfinder
• You want access to a wide range of quality Pentax lenses for specific creative control
• Your focus is on landscape, studio portraits, or planned shoots with less urgency on autofocus speed
• You don’t need video or wireless connectivity
• Budget is tight, and you can find good used options

Choose the Sony RX100 V if:

• You prioritize speed, autofocus sophistication, and portability
• You want a compact all-in-one capable of quality photos and 4K video for travel and street photography
• You appreciate modern connectivity options and live-view exposure previews
• You shoot dynamic subjects like wildlife or sports requiring high frame rates and tracking
• Battery life and single-lens convenience outweigh interchangeable lens flexibility

Final Thoughts: Bridging a Decade of Camera Evolution

Testing these two cameras side-by-side gives a fascinating snapshot of how digital imaging advanced over ten years. The Pentax ist DL2, a venerable APS-C DSLR with modest resolution and basic autofocus, still shines in its image color character and rugged ergonomics, rewarding photographers who enjoy deliberate, considered shooting and lens craft.

The Sony RX100 V is a technical marvel - combining speed, image quality, and video capabilities in a tiny package that redefined what compact cameras could achieve. It empowers creative flexibility and speed in ways once only DSLRs handled but without bulk.

Both have their place in a photographer’s toolkit depending on style, subject matter, and workflow preferences. My advice? If your priority is absolute image detail, lens choice, or you shoot primarily portraits and landscapes indoors or controlled markets, the Pentax rewards patience and investment in glass.

If you need fast, adaptable, high-quality imaging on the go with modern conveniences and hybrid shooting, the RX100 V remains a standout choice - hard to beat even years after release.

Thank you for reading my in-depth comparison. If you have questions about practical use or want to see more sample images, feel free to reach out. My commitment is always to guide photographers to the best tools for their creative journey.

Happy shooting!