Pentax ist DL2 vs Samsung NX mini

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Pentax ist DL2 and the Samsung NX mini, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Pentax ist DL2 was introduced in January 2006 and Samsung NX mini was introduced in March 2014. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Pentax ist DL2 over Samsung NX mini.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Samsung NX mini over Pentax ist DL2.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Pentax ist DL2 has a 2.5" Fixed screen with 210k dot resolution and Samsung NX mini has a 3.0" Tilting screen with 461k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Samsung NX mini very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Samsung NX mini also features touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality (available only on Samsung NX mini) allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Optical (pentamirror) Viewfinder on Pentax ist DL2

Pentax ist DL2 has a built-in Optical (pentamirror) viewfinder. It has a 95% coverage and 0.85x (0.57x 35mm equivalent) magnification. There is no built-in or optional viewfinder available on Samsung NX mini.

Pentax ist DL2 features a 6 megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with dimensions of 23.5 x 15.7 mm and a total area of 369 mm². Its native ISO range is 200 - 3,200. Samsung NX mini features a 20.5 megapixel 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with dimensions of 13.2 x 8.8 mm and a total area of 77.4 mm². Its native ISO range is 160 - 12,800 and expands to 100 - 25,600 in boosted mode.

Samsung NX mini has BSI-CMOS sensor, short for Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor sensor. In traditional CMOS sensors, the wiring and circuitry are located on the front side of the sensor, which can block some of the incoming light. BSI technology flips this design by placing the photosensitive elements (pixels) on the backside of the sensor, allowing more light to reach the pixels. This significantly enhances light sensitivity and improves low-light performance. BSI-CMOS sensors are particularly effective in low-light conditions, as they can capture more light, resulting in brighter and less noisy images. This makes them well-suited for indoor and night photography. BSI-CMOS sensors deliver a higher SNR and reduced cross-talk.

Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how different sensors compare with each other:

Sensor size chart

	Sensor	Dimensions	Area	Aspect Ratio	Crop Factor
	Medium Format	44 x 33 mm	1452 mm2	4:3	0.79x
	Full Frame	36 x 24 mm	864 mm2	3:2	1x
	APS-H	27 x 18 mm	486 mm2	3:2	1.3x
	APS-C	23.6 x 15.6 mm	368.2 mm2	3:2	1.5x
	APS-C (Canon)	22.3 x 14.9 mm	332.3 mm2	3:2	1.6x
	Micro Four Thirds	17.4 x 13 mm	226.2 mm2	4:3	2x
	1-inch	13.2 x 8.8 mm	116.2 mm2	3:2	2.7x
	1/1.7-inch	7.44 x 5.58 mm	41.5 mm2	4:3	4.7x
	1/2.3-inch	6.17 x 4.55 mm	28.1 mm2	4:3	5.6x

Pentax ist DL2 can take pictures up to 3008 x 2008 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 2400 x 1600, 1536 x 1024 with 3:2 aspect ratios. Samsung NX mini can take pictures up to 5472 x 3648 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolution like 5472 x 3080, 3648 x 3648, 3888 x 2592, 3712 x 2088, 2640 x 2640, 2976 x 1984, 2944 x 1656, 2000 x 2000, 1728 x 1152, 1920 x 1080, 1024 x 1024 with 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.

Lens Mount

Pentax ist DL2 has Pentax K_AF lens mount and Samsung NX mini has Samsung NX-M lens mount. Due to APS-C sensor in Pentax ist DL2 its crop factor is equal to 1.5x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 1.5. Due to 1-inch sensor in Samsung NX mini its crop factor is equal to 2.7x, this means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.7.

No Image Stabilization

The cameras do not have image stabilization. On Pentax ist DL2 it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Samsung NX mini nothing can be done. On Samsung NX mini it means that you need lenses with optical image stabilization for vibration reduction. As for Pentax ist DL2 nothing can be done.

Built-in Wi-Fi on Samsung NX mini

Samsung NX mini has a built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

NFC on Samsung NX mini

Samsung NX mini has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. connector for video signal output.

Battery

Pentax ist DL2 comes with 4 x AA battery pack and Samsung NX mini comes with B740 battery pack with battery life of 650 shots.

External Storage Slots

Pentax ist DL2 has a single SD/SDHC card slot. Samsung NX mini has a single MicroSD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Shutter speed can go up to 1/4000 sec on Pentax ist DL2, and up to 1/16000 sec on Samsung NX mini. Pentax ist DL2 can shoot continuously up to 2.8 fps. Samsung NX mini can shoot continuously up to 6.0 fps.

Flash

Cameras have built-in flash. They also accept external flash which can be connected via Proprietary to Samsung NX mini. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Samsung NX mini.

Pentax ist DL2 body has dimensions of 125 x 93 x 66 mm (4.92 x 3.66 x 2.6") and Samsung NX mini body has dimensions of 110 x 62 x 23 mm (4.33 x 2.44 x 0.91"). Pentax ist DL2 weighs 565 g (1.25 lb / 19.93 oz) and Samsung NX mini weighs 196 g (0.43 lb / 6.91 oz).

Pentax ist DL2

Samsung NX mini

125 mm

93 mm

110 mm

62 mm

93 mm

62 mm