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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 front
Portability
54
Imaging
68
Features
60
Overall
64

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850 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
  • Revealed August 2005
Sony A850
(Full Review)
  • 25MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 895g - 156 x 117 x 82mm
  • Revealed April 2010
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony A850, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and A850 (25MP) and the ist DS2 (APS-C) and A850 (Full frame) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The ist DS2 was manufactured 5 years prior to the A850 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ist DS2 grades against the A850 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony A850

 ist DS2 A850 

Reasons to pick Sony A850 over the Pentax ist DS2

 A850 ist DS2 
RevealedApril 2010August 2005Newer by 56 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k210kCrisper screen (+712k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony A850

 ist DS2 A850 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax ist DS2 features outer dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) while the Sony A850 has dimensions of 156mm x 117mm x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2") and a weight of 895 grams (1.97 lbs).

Examine the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony A850 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the ist DS2 vs the A850.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ist DS2 and A850 is 68 and 54 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions simply by checking technical specs. The picture below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ist DS2 and A850.

As you can tell, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ist DS2 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Sony A850 will give you extra detail due to its extra 19MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged ist DS2 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A850 as a Portrait photography camera
50
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
72
you can focus manually
excellent megapixels (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Street photography factors
Sony A850 Street photography factors
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (605 grams)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography highlights
Sony A850 Sports photography highlights
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
71
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent megapixels (25MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
Sony A850 Travel photography info
52
lighter than average (605 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (6MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
55
environment proof
excellent megapixels (25 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
Landscape photography with Sony A850
46
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
excellent megapixels (25 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
no liveview feature
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
Vlogging with Sony A850
22
lighter than average (605g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video res low ( pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
9
no video recording
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A850 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony A850
 Pentax ist DS2Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax ist DS2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A850
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2005-08-22 2010-04-15
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 25 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3008 x 2008 6048 x 4032
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 210 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.74x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution - None
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 605 grams (1.33 pounds) 895 grams (1.97 pounds)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 156 x 117 x 82mm (6.1" x 4.6" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 1415
Other
Battery life - 880 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID 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 Compact Flash (Type I or II), UDMA, Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo
Card slots Single Two
Pricing at launch - $0