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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950

Portability
68
Imaging
43
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-S950 front
Portability
94
Imaging
32
Features
17
Overall
26

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 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
  • Introduced August 2005
Sony S950
(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.

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The 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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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 
LaunchedFebruary 2009August 2005Newer by 42 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kClearer display (+20k dot)

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony S950

 ist DS2 S950 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony S950 as a Portrait photography camera
49
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
low megapixels (6MP)
25
focusing manually
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Street photography highlights
Sony S950 Street photography highlights
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average (605g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography details
Sony S950 Sports photography details
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
24
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
Travel photography with Sony S950
51
lighter than average (605g)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (6MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony S950 as a Landscape photography camera
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
31
focusing manually
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging information
Sony S950 Vlogging information
21
lighter than average (605g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video ( pixels)
lack of microphone jack
9
can't record video
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony S950 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony S950
 Pentax ist DS2Sony 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