Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950
68 Imaging
43 Features
33 Overall
39
94 Imaging
32 Features
17 Overall
26
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 6MP - APS-C Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 200 - 3200
- Pentax KAF Mount
- 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
- Introduced August 2005
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- No Video
- 33-132mm (F3.3-5.2) lens
- 167g - 93 x 56 x 24mm
- Launched February 2009
Photography Glossary Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 Overview
The following is a detailed review of the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony S950, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and S950 (10MP) and the ist DS2 (APS-C) and S950 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsThe ist DS2 was revealed 4 years prior to the S950 which is a fairly serious 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 S950 being a Compact camera.
Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the ist DS2 scores versus the S950 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
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The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950. The full galleries are provided at Pentax ist DS2 Gallery and Sony S950 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony S950
| ist DS2 | S950 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony S950 over the Pentax ist DS2
| S950 | ist DS2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | February 2009 | August 2005 | Newer by 42 months | |
| Display sizing | 2.7" | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") | |
| Display resolution | 230k | 210k | Clearer display (+20k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony S950
| ist DS2 | S950 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual focus | Dial accurate focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Selfie screen | Lacking selfie screen | |||
| Touch friendly display | Neither includes Touch friendly display |
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax ist DS2 features exterior dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) while the Sony S950 has proportions of 93mm x 56mm x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs).
Check out the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony S950 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the ist DS2 against the S950.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ist DS2 and S950 is 68 and 94 respectively.
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be hard to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through a spec sheet. The picture underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ist DS2 and S950.
Clearly, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ist DS2 using its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Sony S950 will show greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged ist DS2 will be behind in sensor tech.
Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 Specifications
| Pentax ist DS2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Brand | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax ist DS2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 |
| Class | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
| Introduced | 2005-08-22 | 2009-02-17 |
| Body design | 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 area | 369.0mm² | 28.1mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 6 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 3008 x 2008 | 4000 x 3000 |
| Max native ISO | 3200 | 3200 |
| Min native ISO | 200 | 80 |
| RAW format | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Single autofocus | ||
| Tracking autofocus | ||
| Selective autofocus | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Autofocus live view | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens support | Pentax KAF | fixed lens |
| Lens zoom range | - | 33-132mm (4.0x) |
| Maximal aperture | - | f/3.3-5.2 |
| Macro focusing distance | - | 10cm |
| Amount of lenses | 151 | - |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.8 |
| Screen | ||
| Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
| Display diagonal | 2.5 inches | 2.7 inches |
| Display resolution | 210k dot | 230k dot |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical | None |
| Viewfinder coverage | 95 percent | - |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
| Features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 secs | 2 secs |
| Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/1600 secs |
| Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Built-in flash | ||
| Flash distance | - | 3.50 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
| Hot shoe | ||
| AE bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Max video resolution | - | None |
| Video data format | - | Motion JPEG |
| Microphone jack | ||
| Headphone jack | ||
| 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 seal | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 605 grams (1.33 pounds) | 167 grams (0.37 pounds) |
| Dimensions | 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") | 93 x 56 x 24mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall 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) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Type of storage | SD/MMC card | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo, Internal |
| Storage slots | Single | Single |
| Cost at release | - | $130 |