Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX20V

In this write-up, we are comparing the Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX20V, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and HX20V (18MP) and the ist DS2 (APS-C) and HX20V (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The ist DS2 was released 8 years before the HX20V and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the ist DS2 grades against the HX20V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V. The complete galleries are viewable at Pentax ist DS2 Gallery and Sony HX20V Gallery.

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Pentax ist DS2 offers exterior dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) while the Sony HX20V has measurements of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX20V in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the ist DS2 versus the HX20V.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the ist DS2 and HX20V is 68 and 90 respectively.

In many cases, its difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements simply by going over specs. The graphic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ist DS2 and HX20V.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ist DS2 due to its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF easier and the Sony HX20V will offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The older ist DS2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.