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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sigma SD15 front
Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15 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
Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Revealed February 2010
  • Replaced the Sigma SD14
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Pentax ist DS2 and Sigma SD15, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Pentax and Sigma. The resolution of the ist DS2 (6MP) and the SD15 (5MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the same exact sensor size (APS-C).

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The ist DS2 was launched 5 years before the SD15 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief overview of how the ist DS2 grades vs the SD15 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sigma SD15

 ist DS2 SD15 

Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Pentax ist DS2

 SD15 ist DS2 
RevealedFebruary 2010August 2005Newer by 54 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k210kCrisper screen (+250k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sigma SD15

 ist DS2 SD15 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax ist DS2 enjoys exterior measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) while the Sigma SD15 has proportions of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax ist DS2 and Sigma SD15 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the ist DS2 versus the SD15.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ist DS2 and SD15 is 68 and 59 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by seeing a spec sheet. The image here might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ist DS2 and SD15.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Pentax ist DS2 to show greater detail utilizing its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged ist DS2 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography information
Sigma SD15 Portrait photography information
50
manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
50
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
low MP (5MP)
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Street photography details
Sigma SD15 Street photography details
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
52
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
Sports photography with Sigma SD15
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (5MP)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
Sigma SD15 Travel photography info
52
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
42
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
low MP (5 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sigma SD15 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
lack of Time Lapse function
51
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (5 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD15 as a Vlogging camera
22
lighter than competition in class (605g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video ( resolution)
lack of mic support
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sigma SD15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sigma SD15
 Pentax ist DS2Sigma SD15
General Information
Brand Pentax Sigma
Model type Pentax ist DS2 Sigma SD15
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2005-08-22 2010-02-20
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - True II
Sensor type CCD CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 5MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Maximum resolution 3008 x 2008 2640 x 1760
Maximum native ISO 3200 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 3200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF Sigma SA
Available lenses 151 76
Crop factor 1.5 1.7
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 210k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.6x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution - None
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 605 gr (1.33 lb) 750 gr (1.65 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID 4 x AA -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing - $1,500