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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 front
Portability
87
Imaging
33
Features
29
Overall
31

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 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
  • Introduced August 2005
Sony H20
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 38-380mm (F3.5-4.4) lens
  • 250g - 107 x 69 x 47mm
  • Introduced May 2009
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony H20, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and H20 (10MP) and the ist DS2 (APS-C) and H20 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

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The ist DS2 was released 4 years before the H20 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony H20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the ist DS2 grades vs the H20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony H20

 ist DS2 H20 

Reasons to pick Sony H20 over the Pentax ist DS2

 H20 ist DS2 
IntroducedMay 2009August 2005Fresher by 45 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution230k210kCrisper display (+20k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony H20

 ist DS2 H20 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax ist DS2 provides physical 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 Sony H20 has measurements of 107mm x 69mm x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 250 grams (0.55 lbs).

Examine the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony H20 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the ist DS2 against the H20.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ist DS2 and H20 is 68 and 87 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing purely by reading specifications. The graphic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ist DS2 and H20.

Plainly, both cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ist DS2 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Sony H20 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The older ist DS2 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography features
Sony H20 Portrait photography features
50
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
27
has manual focus
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Street photography information
Sony H20 Street photography information
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors (605g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competitors (250 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
Sports photography with Sony H20
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
26
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
Sony H20 as a Travel photography camera
52
lighter than competitors (605 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (6MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
51
has built in flash
great reach (380mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (250g)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography advice
Sony H20 Landscape photography advice
46
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
does not have Timelapse function
36
has manual focus
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony H20 as a Vlogging camera
22
lighter than competitors (605g)
does not have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video ( resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
23
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (38mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (250g)
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony H20
 Pentax ist DS2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax ist DS2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2005-08-22 2009-05-14
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3008 x 2008 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 38-380mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-4.4
Macro focusing distance - 2cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Focal length multiplier 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 210k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical None
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 7.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution - 1280x720
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 lbs) 250 grams (0.55 lbs)
Physical dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 107 x 69 x 47mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.9")
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 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/MMC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch - $249