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Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Samsung GX-1S front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S Key Specs

Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Launched August 2005
Samsung GX-1S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced January 2006
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S Overview

Below is a in-depth assessment of the Pentax ist DS2 and Samsung GX-1S, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the ist DS2 (6MP) and the GX-1S (6MP) is relatively close and both cameras boast the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The ist DS2 was released 4 months before the GX-1S so they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a in depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the ist DS2 grades against the GX-1S for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Samsung GX-1S

 ist DS2 GX-1S 

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1S over the Pentax ist DS2

 GX-1S ist DS2 

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Samsung GX-1S

 ist DS2 GX-1S 
AnnouncedAugust 2005January 2006Same age
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.5"2.5"Equal screen sizing
Screen resolution210k210kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax ist DS2 provides outer measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) while the Samsung GX-1S has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check out the Pentax ist DS2 and Samsung GX-1S in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the ist DS2 and the GX-1S.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ist DS2 and GX-1S is 68 and 68 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing specs. The visual here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ist DS2 and GX-1S.

As you can plainly see, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of files though you should factor the age of the cameras into account.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Portrait photography camera
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
low resolution (6MP)
51
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview feature
MP count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Street photography features
Samsung GX-1S Street photography features
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (605 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors (605g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography details
Samsung GX-1S Sports photography details
39
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
low frames per second (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low resolution (6MP)
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview feature
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
Travel photography with Samsung GX-1S
52
lighter than average (605 grams)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low resolution (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than competitors (605g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography highlights
Samsung GX-1S Landscape photography highlights
47
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low resolution (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
47
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung GX-1S as a Vlogging camera
22
lighter than average (605 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low ( resolution)
lack of external microphone support
9
no video shooting
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-1S Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Samsung GX-1S
 Pentax ist DS2Samsung GX-1S
General Information
Make Pentax Samsung
Model Pentax ist DS2 Samsung GX-1S
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2005-08-22 2006-01-16
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 3008 x 2008 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF Pentax KAF
Number of lenses 151 151
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 210 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution - None
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless No None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 605 grams (1.33 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 4 x AA 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing - $850