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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3 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
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-3
  • Successor is Sony NEX-F3
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Here is a comprehensive overview of the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony NEX-C3, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) but both cameras posses the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The ist DS2 was launched 7 years prior to the NEX-C3 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ist DS2 scores against the NEX-C3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony NEX-C3

 ist DS2 NEX-C3 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Pentax ist DS2

 NEX-C3 ist DS2 
LaunchedAugust 2011August 2005Fresher by 73 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution920k210kCrisper display (+710k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony NEX-C3

 ist DS2 NEX-C3 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax ist DS2 features physical measurements 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 NEX-C3 has dimensions of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

See the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony NEX-C3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the ist DS2 and the NEX-C3.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ist DS2 and NEX-C3 is 68 and 91 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to picture the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The photograph here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ist DS2 and NEX-C3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but different megapixels. You can anticipate the Sony NEX-C3 to result in greater detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older ist DS2 will be behind in sensor tech.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Portrait photography highlights
50
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no liveview
megapixel count low (6MP)
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Street photography features
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography features
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
79
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
53
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery pack (400 CIPA)
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Travel photography camera
52
lighter than competitors in class (605 grams)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
71
great battery pack (400 per charge)
lighter than others in class (225 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
missing Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
70
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (400 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging information
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging information
22
lighter than competitors in class (605g)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low video resolution ( pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
27
lighter than others in class (225g)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony NEX-C3
 Pentax ist DS2Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax ist DS2 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2005-08-22 2011-08-22
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2008 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF Sony E
Available lenses 151 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 210k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution - 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless No Eye-Fi Connected
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 pounds) 225 grams (0.50 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 73
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.2
DXO Low light score not tested 1083
Other
Battery life - 400 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost - $343