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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300 front
Portability
63
Imaging
45
Features
51
Overall
47

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 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
  • Announced August 2005
Sony HX300
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.8-6.3) lens
  • 623g - 130 x 103 x 93mm
  • Announced February 2013
  • Succeeded the Sony HX200V
  • New Model is Sony HX400V
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by companies Pentax and Sony. There exists a huge gap among the resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and HX300 (20MP) and the ist DS2 (APS-C) and HX300 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ist DS2 was brought out 8 years prior to the HX300 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the ist DS2 grades versus the HX300 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony HX300

 ist DS2 HX300 

Reasons to pick Sony HX300 over the Pentax ist DS2

 HX300 ist DS2 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013August 2005Fresher by 91 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kSharper display (+711k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony HX300

 ist DS2 HX300 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Pentax ist DS2 enjoys outer measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) whilst the Sony HX300 has sizing of 130mm x 103mm x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 623 grams (1.37 lbs).

Take a look at the Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the ist DS2 vs the HX300.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ist DS2 and HX300 is 68 and 63 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through a spec sheet. The visual below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ist DS2 and HX300.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ist DS2 because of its larger sensor will make shooting bokeh less difficult and the Sony HX300 will result in extra detail having its extra 14 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The older ist DS2 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography highlights
Sony HX300 Portrait photography highlights
50
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
43
you can focus manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Street photography info
Sony HX300 Street photography info
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (605 grams)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
50
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than competitors in class (623g)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography advice
Sony HX300 Sports photography advice
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
55
excellent zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography details
Sony HX300 Travel photography details
52
lighter than competition (605 grams)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
54
decent MP (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors in class (623 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography highlights
Sony HX300 Landscape photography highlights
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
49
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging information
Sony HX300 Vlogging information
22
lighter than competition (605 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video ( pixels)
missing external microphone socket
25
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competitors in class (623 grams)
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony HX300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony HX300
 Pentax ist DS2Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax ist DS2 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2005-08-22 2013-02-20
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.16 x 4.62mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.5mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 -
Maximum resolution 3008 x 2008 5184 x 3888
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-1200mm (50.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-6.3
Total lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 210k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps)
Maximum video resolution - 1920x1080
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 605 gr (1.33 lbs) 623 gr (1.37 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 130 x 103 x 93mm (5.1" x 4.1" x 3.7")
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 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC card -
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing - $339