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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 II

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39
Pentax ist DS2 front
 
Sony SLT-A77 II front
Portability
62
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 II 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 A77 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 50 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 647g - 143 x 104 x 81mm
  • Introduced May 2014
  • Earlier Model is Sony A77
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 II Overview

Below is a detailed assessment of the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony A77 II, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Pentax and Sony. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the ist DS2 (6MP) and A77 II (24MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The ist DS2 was unveiled 9 years earlier than the A77 II and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the ist DS2 scores vs the A77 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Sony A77 II

 ist DS2 A77 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A77 II over the Pentax ist DS2

 A77 II ist DS2 
IntroducedMay 2014August 2005More recent by 106 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1229k210kCrisper display (+1019k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Pentax ist DS2 and Sony A77 II

 ist DS2 A77 II 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 II Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Pentax ist DS2 has got physical 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 A77 II has specifications of 143mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 647 grams (1.43 lbs).

See the Pentax ist DS2 versus Sony A77 II in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the ist DS2 vs the A77 II.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ist DS2 and A77 II is 68 and 62 respectively.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 II top view buttons comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements just by going over specs. The visual below will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ist DS2 and A77 II.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A77 II to deliver greater detail having an extra 18 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a little more aggressively. The older ist DS2 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 II sensor size comparison

Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A77 II as a Portrait photography camera
50
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
low MP (6MP)
79
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
Street photography with Sony A77 II
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
76
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
very good ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A77 II as a Sports photography camera
38
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery life (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
Travel photography with Sony A77 II
52
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
built-in flash
no Timelapse recording
low MP (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
64
weather sealing
megapixel count good (24MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery life (480 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography info
Sony A77 II Landscape photography info
46
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
no Timelapse recording
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
low battery life (480 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging info
Sony A77 II Vlogging info
22
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video ( resolution)
no external microphone port
78
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external microphone port
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Pentax ist DS2 vs Sony A77 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax ist DS2 and Sony A77 II
 Pentax ist DS2Sony SLT-A77 II
General Information
Make Pentax Sony
Model Pentax ist DS2 Sony SLT-A77 II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2005-08-22 2014-05-21
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz X
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3008 x 2008 6000 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 50
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 79
Cross focus points - 15
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 210k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.73x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 12.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, fill, rear sync, slow sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution - 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless No Built-In
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 grams (1.33 lbs) 647 grams (1.43 lbs)
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 score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 24.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1013
Other
Battery life - 480 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (Yes (2 or 12 sec))
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release - $1,198