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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 front
Portability
59
Imaging
64
Features
83
Overall
71

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 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
  • Released August 2005
Sony A77
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 50 - 16000 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 732g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Released October 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony A700
  • Replacement is Sony A77 II
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony A77, both Advanced DSLR cameras by rivals Pentax and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and A77 (24MP) but they possess the exact same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The ist DS2 was announced 7 years prior to the A77 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the ist DS2 grades versus the A77 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony A77

 ist DS2 A77 

Reasons to pick Sony A77 over the Pentax ist DS2

 A77 ist DS2 
ReleasedOctober 2011August 2005Fresher by 75 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k210kSharper screen (+711k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony A77

 ist DS2 A77 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Pentax ist DS2 offers outside 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) whilst the Sony A77 has dimensions of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") having a weight of 732 grams (1.61 lbs).

Check the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony A77 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the ist DS2 vs the A77.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the ist DS2 and A77 is 68 and 59 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through specs. The visual below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ist DS2 and A77.

All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Sony A77 to render greater detail with its extra 18 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older ist DS2 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax ist DS2
Portrait photography with Sony A77
50
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (6 megapixels)
78
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Street photography factors
Sony A77 Street photography factors
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors (605g)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
75
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography advice
Sony A77 Sports photography advice
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
74
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (470 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
Travel photography with Sony A77
52
lighter than competitors (605g)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low MP (6 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
63
environment proof
good megapixels (24MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography advice
Sony A77 Landscape photography advice
46
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
71
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
terrible battery pack (470 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A77 as a Vlogging camera
22
lighter than competitors (605 grams)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low ( pxls)
missing external mic port
76
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic support
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony A77
 Pentax ist DS2Sony SLT-A77
General Information
Brand Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax ist DS2 Sony SLT-A77
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2005-08-22 2011-10-25
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 6MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2008 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 50
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 19
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.5" 3"
Display resolution 210k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dots
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.73x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60, 24 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Maximum video resolution - 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 605 grams (1.33 lb) 732 grams (1.61 lb)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 143 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 24.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 801
Other
Battery life - 470 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing - $900