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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sony SLT-A33 front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
80
Overall
63

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 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 A33
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 500g - 124 x 92 x 85mm
  • Launched August 2010
  • Newer Model is Sony A35
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 Overview

Following is a extended analysis of the Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and A33 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The ist DS2 was revealed 6 years earlier than the A33 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A33 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the ist DS2 grades vs the A33 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony A33

 ist DS2 A33 

Reasons to pick Sony A33 over the Pentax ist DS2

 A33 ist DS2 
LaunchedAugust 2010August 2005More modern by 60 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k210kCrisper display (+711k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony A33

 ist DS2 A33 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and proportions. The Pentax ist DS2 has got external measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) and the Sony A33 has measurements of 124mm x 92mm x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3") and a weight of 500 grams (1.10 lbs).

Look at the Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the ist DS2 against the A33.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ist DS2 and A33 is 68 and 67 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing specs. The image below may provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ist DS2 and A33.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Sony A33 to render more detail because of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged ist DS2 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography information
Sony A33 Portrait photography information
50
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have liveview
low megapixels (6MP)
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Street photography camera
Sony A33 as a Street photography camera
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than average in class (605g)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
76
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography information
Sony A33 Sports photography information
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (340 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography advice
Sony A33 Travel photography advice
52
lighter than average in class (605g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low megapixels (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
61
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
no Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (340 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography advice
Sony A33 Landscape photography advice
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse function
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
not so great battery pack (340 CIPA)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A33 as a Vlogging camera
22
lighter than average in class (605 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video ( pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
77
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic jack
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A33 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony A33
 Pentax ist DS2Sony SLT-A33
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax ist DS2 Sony SLT-A33
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2005-08-22 2010-08-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2008 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
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 15
Cross focus points - 3
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 210k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,150k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 10.00 m (@ ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution - 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless No Eye-Fi Connected
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 605 gr (1.33 pounds) 500 gr (1.10 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 124 x 92 x 85mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 70
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.6
DXO Low light score not tested 591
Other
Battery life - 340 photographs
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release - $230