Pentax ist DL2 has a
6.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm ) sized CCD sensor . On the other hand, Canon 1D X II has a
20.0MP Full frame (36 x 24 mm ) sized CMOS sensor and features Dual DIGIC 6+ processor.
Canon 1D X II's sensor provides 14MP more than Pentax ist DL2's sensor, which gives a significant advantage in real life. You can print your images larger or crop more freely.
On the other hand, please keep in mind that Max sensor resolution is not the only determinant of resolving power. Factors such as the optical elements, low pass filter, pixel size and sensor technology also affects the final resolution of the captured image.
Below you can see the ist DL2 and 1D X MII sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Pentax ist DL2 and Canon 1D X II Cameras
As seen above, Canon 1D X II has a 2.3x Larger sensor area than Pentax ist DL2. Larger sensors give photographer more control on the depth of field and blurry background compared to smaller sensor when shot in 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 ist DL2 and Canon 1D X II sensors have been tested by DxO and the results show that 1D X MII has a better overall score of 88, 23 points higher compared to ist DL2's score of 65.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Pentax ist DL2
65
22.9 bits
11.1 Evs
639 ISO
Canon 1D X II
88
24.1 bits
13.5 Evs
3207 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 ist DL2
or the
Canon 1D X II ,
including hyperfocal distance.
One thing to watch when comparing these two: they have different sensor sizes
(APS-C versus Full frame),
so compare them at the same framing rather than the same focal length.
Put the same focal length on the smaller sensor and it will show less depth of
field, not more, because it also crops tighter. The calculator shows the
full frame equivalent focal length for each body so you can match the framing.
