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Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20

Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Samsung GX-20 front
Portability
58
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 Key Specs

Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released August 2005
Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Revealed January 2008
  • Superseded the Samsung GX-10
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 Overview

Following is a thorough comparison of the Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Pentax and Samsung. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and GX-20 (15MP) but they possess the same exact sensor sizing (APS-C).

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The ist DS2 was introduced 3 years prior to the GX-20 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the ist DS2 scores against the GX-20 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Samsung GX-20

 ist DS2 GX-20 

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Pentax ist DS2

 GX-20 ist DS2 
RevealedJanuary 2008August 2005More modern by 29 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kSharper screen (+20k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Samsung GX-20

 ist DS2 GX-20 
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Pentax ist DS2 offers outer measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) and the Samsung GX-20 has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the ist DS2 and the GX-20.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ist DS2 and GX-20 is 68 and 58 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The image underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ist DS2 and GX-20.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You should count on the Samsung GX-20 to provide more detail using its extra 9 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged ist DS2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography factors
Samsung GX-20 Portrait photography factors
51
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
MP count low (6MP)
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Street photography camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Street photography camera
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography details
Samsung GX-20 Sports photography details
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
Travel photography with Samsung GX-20
52
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (6MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
64
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
Landscape photography with Samsung GX-20
47
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
71
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
small screen (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
Samsung GX-20 as a Vlogging camera
22
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low ( resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
9
can't record video
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Samsung GX-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Samsung GX-20
 Pentax ist DS2Samsung GX-20
General Information
Brand Pentax Samsung
Model type Pentax ist DS2 Samsung GX-20
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2005-08-22 2008-01-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Maximum resolution 3008 x 2008 4688 x 3120
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 151 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 210 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Maximum video resolution - None
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 605 gr (1.33 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 68
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 714
Other
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC card SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch - $850