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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sigma SD1 front
Portability
77
Imaging
54
Features
43
Overall
49

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 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
  • Released August 2005
Sigma SD1
(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
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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).

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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.

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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 
AnnouncedSeptember 2010August 2005Fresher by 61 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kClearer display (+250k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sigma SD1

 ist DS2 SD1 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography information
Sigma SD1 Portrait photography information
50
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
does not have liveview
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
64
you can focus manually
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
Sigma SD1 Street photography advice
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
62
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
maximum ISO low (0)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
Sigma SD1 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
55
good megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography factors
Sigma SD1 Travel photography factors
52
lighter than competitors in class (605 grams)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (6MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
65
environment proof
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography highlights
Sigma SD1 Landscape photography highlights
46
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (6MP)
no Time Lapse recording
61
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sigma SA mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
maximum ISO low (0)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging info
Sigma SD1 Vlogging info
22
lighter than competitors in class (605 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low ( resolution)
no mic port
9
no video
Photography Glossary

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sigma SD1
 Pentax ist DS2Sigma 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