Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A350
68 Imaging
44 Features
33 Overall
39


62 Imaging
52 Features
47 Overall
50
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A350 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.7" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 3200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 674g - 131 x 99 x 75mm
- Introduced June 2008
- Successor is Sony A380

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A350 Overview
Let's look a little more in depth at the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony A350, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and A350 (14MP) but they possess the exact same sensor sizing (APS-C).

The ist DS2 was brought out 3 years prior to the A350 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A350 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the ist DS2 matches up vs the A350 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A350 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax ist DS2 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A350. The entire galleries are provided at Pentax ist DS2 Gallery & Sony A350 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony A350
ist DS2 | A350 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony A350 over the Pentax ist DS2
A350 | ist DS2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2008 | ![]() | August 2005 | More recent by 33 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display dimension | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 210k | Crisper display (+20k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony A350
ist DS2 | A350 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Lacking Touch display |
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A350 Physical Comparison
When you are intending to lug around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Pentax ist DS2 provides outer dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) whilst the Sony A350 has proportions of 131mm x 99mm x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 674 grams (1.49 lbs).
Analyze the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony A350 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the ist DS2 against the A350.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ist DS2 and A350 is 68 and 62 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A350 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through technical specs. The photograph here might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ist DS2 and A350.
As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but different MP. You can anticipate the Sony A350 to show greater detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older ist DS2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A350 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A350 Specifications
Pentax ist DS2 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
Model type | Pentax ist DS2 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2005-08-22 | 2008-06-06 |
Body design | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm |
Sensor surface area | 369.0mm² | 372.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 6MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 3008 x 2008 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Pentax KAF | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Amount of lenses | 151 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 2.5 inch | 2.7 inch |
Resolution of screen | 210 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder coverage | 95% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.49x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 3.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction | Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Max video resolution | - | None |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | 605g (1.33 lbs) | 674g (1.49 lbs) |
Dimensions | 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") | 131 x 99 x 75mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 65 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 22.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.5 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 595 |
Other | ||
Battery ID | 4 x AA | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/MMC card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, UDMA Mode 5, Supports FAT12 / FAT16 / FAT32 |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | - | $600 |