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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 front
Portability
67
Imaging
32
Features
36
Overall
33

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1 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
  • Announced August 2005
Sony HX1
(Full Review)
  • 9MP - 1/2.4" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 125 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1440 x 1080 video
  • 28-560mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 544g - 115 x 83 x 92mm
  • Revealed April 2009
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1 Overview

The following is a comprehensive comparison of the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony HX1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and HX1 (9MP) and the ist DS2 (APS-C) and HX1 (1/2.4") feature different sensor dimensions.

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The ist DS2 was brought out 4 years before the HX1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the ist DS2 grades versus the HX1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony HX1

 ist DS2 HX1 

Reasons to pick Sony HX1 over the Pentax ist DS2

 HX1 ist DS2 
RevealedApril 2009August 2005Newer by 44 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution230k210kCrisper display (+20k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony HX1

 ist DS2 HX1 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Pentax ist DS2 has external 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 HX1 has proportions of 115mm x 83mm x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6") with a weight of 544 grams (1.20 lbs).

Analyze the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony HX1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the ist DS2 vs the HX1.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ist DS2 and HX1 is 68 and 67 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specifications. The picture underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ist DS2 and HX1.

Plainly, both of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ist DS2 because of its larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh simpler and the Sony HX1 will show extra detail having its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images much more aggressively. The more aged ist DS2 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax ist DS2
Portrait photography with Sony HX1
50
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
27
has manual focus
cannot use external flash
low resolution (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
Sony HX1 Street photography advice
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (605g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
50
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
heavier than competition (544g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography features
Sony HX1 Sports photography features
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
36
amazing zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
low resolution (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
Travel photography with Sony HX1
52
lighter than average in class (605g)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
48
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
very long zoom (560mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (544g)
low resolution (9MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX1 Landscape photography highlights
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
39
has manual focus
decently wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
low resolution (9 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.4")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
Vlogging with Sony HX1
22
lighter than average in class (605 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low quality video ( pixels)
missing external mic jack
22
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1440 x 1080 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
heavier than competition (544 grams)
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony HX1
 Pentax ist DS2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax ist DS2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2005-08-22 2009-04-22
Body design Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.4"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.104 x 4.578mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 27.9mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 9 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2008 3456 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 210k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 9.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution - 1440x1080
Video file format - H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 605g (1.33 lb) 544g (1.20 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 115 x 83 x 92mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC card Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release - $47,999