Pentax ist DL2 has a
6.0MP APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm ) sized CCD sensor . On the other hand, Nikon D80 has a
10.0MP APS-C (23.6 x 15.8 mm ) sized CCD sensor .
Below you can see the ist DL2 and D80 sensor size comparison.
Sensor Size and Resolution Comparison image of Pentax ist DL2 and Nikon D80 Cameras
Pentax ist DL2 and Nikon D80 have almost the same sensor size, so neither of them has any significant advantage over the other in terms of providing control over depth of field when used with the same focal length and aperture.
DxOMark Sensor Scores
Both Pentax ist DL2 and Nikon D80 sensors have been tested by DxoMark. DxoMark 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. Of the two cameras that we are comparing, ist DL2 has scored 65, 4 points higher than D80.
Model
Overall
Color Depth
Dynamic Range
Low-light ISO
Pentax ist DL2
65
22.9 bits
11.1 Evs
639 ISO
Nikon D80
61
22.1 bits
11.2 Evs
524 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
Nikon D80 ,
including hyperfocal distance.
