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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DL2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10 front
Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
41
Overall
39

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10 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 TX10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
  • 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
  • Introduced August 2011
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony TX10, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Ultracompact by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the ist DL2 (6MP) and TX10 (16MP) and the ist DL2 (APS-C) and TX10 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The ist DL2 was unveiled 6 years before the TX10 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony TX10 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a full comparison, below is a short view of how the ist DL2 scores versus the TX10 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary

        

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Sony TX10

 ist DL2 TX10 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Reasons to pick Sony TX10 over the Pentax ist DL2

 TX10 ist DL2 
IntroducedAugust 2011January 2006More modern by 67 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kClearer display (+711k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony TX10

 ist DL2 TX10 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Pentax ist DL2 enjoys outer measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs) whilst the Sony TX10 has sizing of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") along with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax ist DL2 and Sony TX10 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the ist DL2 vs the TX10.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ist DL2 and TX10 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through a spec sheet. The picture underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ist DL2 and TX10.

Clearly, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ist DL2 having a larger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Sony TX10 will produce more detail having an extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged ist DL2 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony TX10 as a Portrait photography camera
50
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
resolution not great (6MP)
29
megapixel count decent (16MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 as a Street photography camera
Sony TX10 as a Street photography camera
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (565g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Optical)
offers focus by touch
weather proofing
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Sports photography factors
Sony TX10 Sports photography factors
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
44
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
weather proofing
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography highlights
Sony TX10 Travel photography highlights
52
lighter than competitors in class (565 grams)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
resolution not great (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
71
weather proofing
offers focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
Landscape photography with Sony TX10
46
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
45
really wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging features
Sony TX10 Vlogging features
22
lighter than competitors in class (565g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low ( pxls)
does not have microphone port
34
really wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
missing microphone support
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Pentax ist DL2 vs Sony TX10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DL2 and Sony TX10
 Pentax ist DL2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax ist DL2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX10
Class Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Launched 2006-01-27 2011-08-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3008 x 2008 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-100mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-4.6
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 210k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - XtraFine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 3.70 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution - 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 565 grams (1.25 lb) 133 grams (0.29 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 65 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 639 not tested
Other
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release - $309