Pentax K-m has a
10.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm ) sized CCD sensor . On the other hand, Pentax ist DL2 has a
6.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm ) sized CCD sensor .
Below you can see the K-m and ist DL2 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Pentax K-m and Pentax ist DL2 Cameras
Pentax K-m and Pentax ist DL2 have the same sensor sizes so they will provide same level of control over the depth of field when used with same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
DxOMark is a benchmark that scientifically assesses image quality of camera sensors. It scores camera sensors for color depth (DXO Portrait), dynamic range (DXO Landscape) and low-light sensitivity (DXO Sports), and also gives them an overall score. Pentax K-m and Pentax ist DL2 sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that ist DL2 has a better overall score of 65, 1 points higher compared to K-m's score of 64.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Pentax K-m
64
22.4 bits
11.4 Evs
513 ISO
Pentax ist DL2
65
22.9 bits
11.1 Evs
639 ISO
Sensor size sets the circle of confusion, so it drives how much depth of field each
of these bodies gives you at a given aperture. You can calculate it exactly for the
Pentax K-m
or the
Pentax ist DL2 ,
including hyperfocal distance.