Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A500
68 Imaging
44 Features
33 Overall
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63 Imaging
51 Features
52 Overall
51
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200
- Pentax KAF Mount
- 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
- Introduced August 2005
(Full Review)
- 12MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Video
- Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
- 630g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
- Introduced August 2009
- New Model is Sony A560
Photography Glossary Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A500 Overview
The following is a thorough comparison of the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony A500, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and A500 (12MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor sizes (APS-C).
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music videoThe ist DS2 was launched 5 years prior to the A500 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the ist DS2 matches up against the A500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Pentax ist DS2 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A500. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax ist DS2 Gallery & Sony A500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony A500
| ist DS2 | A500 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A500 over the Pentax ist DS2
| A500 | ist DS2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduced | August 2009 |  | August 2005 | Newer by 48 months |
| Display type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting display |
| Display dimension | 3" |  | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
| Display resolution | 230k |  | 210k | Crisper display (+20k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony A500
| ist DS2 | A500 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus manually |  | More exact focusing | ||
| Selfie screen |  | Missing selfie screen | ||
| Touch display |  | Missing Touch display |
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A500 Physical Comparison
When you are looking to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax ist DS2 has external dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) and the Sony A500 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 630 grams (1.39 lbs).
Look at the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony A500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the ist DS2 vs the A500.
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ist DS2 and A500 is 68 and 63 respectively.
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A500 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching specifications. The image here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ist DS2 and A500.
Plainly, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Sony A500 to render more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ist DS2 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A500 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A500 Specifications
| Pentax ist DS2 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand Name | Pentax | Sony |
| Model | Pentax ist DS2 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 |
| Class | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Introduced | 2005-08-22 | 2009-08-27 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | - | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 369.0mm² | 366.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Full resolution | 3008 x 2008 | 4272 x 2848 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 12800 |
| Min native ISO | 200 | 200 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focus | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Autofocus center weighted | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount | Pentax KAF | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Amount of lenses | 151 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display sizing | 2.5 inches | 3 inches |
| Resolution of display | 210k dots | 230k dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch operation | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | 95 percent |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Slowest shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
| Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames/s | 5.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash range | - | 12.00 m |
| Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160 secs |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment metering | ||
| Average metering | ||
| Spot metering | ||
| Partial metering | ||
| AF area metering | ||
| Center weighted metering | ||
| Video features | ||
| Max 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 | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 605 grams (1.33 lbs) | 630 grams (1.39 lbs) |
| Dimensions | 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO All around score | not tested | 64 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 21.8 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 11.6 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 772 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | - | 520 images |
| Form of battery | - | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | 4 x AA | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/MMC card | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | Single | Single |
| Retail cost | - | $638 |