Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20
68 Imaging
44 Features
33 Overall
39


87 Imaging
33 Features
29 Overall
31
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax ist DS2 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax ist DS2 Gallery & Sony H20 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | May 2009 | ![]() | August 2005 | Fresher by 45 months |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.5") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 210k | Crisper display (+20k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony H20
ist DS2 | H20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H20 Specifications
Pentax ist DS2 | Sony 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 |