Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H400

Here, we will be analyzing the Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H400, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Pentax and Sony. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and H400 (20MP) and the ist DS2 (APS-C) and H400 (1/2.3") offer totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The ist DS2 was announced 9 years prior to the H400 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony H400 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the ist DS2 matches up vs the H400 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H400. The whole galleries are available at Pentax ist DS2 Gallery and Sony H400 Gallery.

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Pentax ist DS2 offers outside dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) whilst the Sony H400 has dimensions of 130mm x 95mm x 122mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.8") along with a weight of 628 grams (1.38 lbs).

See the Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony H400 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the ist DS2 versus the H400.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ist DS2 and H400 is 68 and 62 respectively.

Often, it can be hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing merely by checking specifications. The visual underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ist DS2 and H400.

To sum up, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ist DS2 using its bigger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Sony H400 will give you extra detail with its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older ist DS2 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.