Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1
68 Imaging
44 Features
33 Overall
39


77 Imaging
54 Features
43 Overall
49
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200
- Pentax KAF Mount
- 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
- Released August 2005
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 0 - 0
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- n/ag - 146 x 113 x 80mm
- Announced September 2010
- Newer Model is Sigma SD1 Merrill

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 Overview
In this article, we are contrasting the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sigma SD1, both Advanced DSLR cameras by companies Pentax and Sigma. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and SD1 (15MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

The ist DS2 was launched 6 years earlier than the SD1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).
Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the ist DS2 matches up against the SD1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax ist DS2 & Sigma SD1. The complete galleries are provided at Pentax ist DS2 Gallery & Sigma SD1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sigma SD1
ist DS2 | SD1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 over the Pentax ist DS2
SD1 | ist DS2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | September 2010 | ![]() | August 2005 | Fresher by 61 months |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 210k | Clearer display (+250k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sigma SD1
ist DS2 | SD1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very precise focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Neither has Touch display |
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is intending to carry your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax ist DS2 has exterior measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) and the Sigma SD1 has sizing of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") with a weight of n/a grams (0.00 lbs).
Check the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sigma SD1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the ist DS2 and the SD1.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ist DS2 and SD1 is 68 and 77 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 Sensor Comparison
Often, it is difficult to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing only by checking out specifications. The visual below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ist DS2 and SD1.
Plainly, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You can expect to see the Sigma SD1 to show greater detail utilizing its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The older ist DS2 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 Specifications
Pentax ist DS2 | Sigma SD1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Pentax | Sigma |
Model | Pentax ist DS2 | Sigma SD1 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2005-08-22 | 2010-09-21 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Dual True II |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS (Foveon X3) |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 24 x 16mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 384.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 15 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | - |
Max resolution | 3008 x 2008 | 4800 x 3200 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | - |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | - |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | 2 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Pentax KAF | Sigma SA |
Number of lenses | 151 | 76 |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of display | 210 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 96% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 15 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/2000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0fps | 5.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction | - |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | - | None |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 605 grams (1.33 lb) | - |
Dimensions | 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") | 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall 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 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/MMC card | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | - | $2,339 |