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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
56
Imaging
45
Features
56
Overall
49
Olympus E-3 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Launched February 2008
  • Earlier Model is Olympus E-1
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-5
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released August 2005
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax ist DS2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the E-3 (10MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the E-3 (Four Thirds) and ist DS2 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The E-3 was manufactured 2 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the E-3 grades against the ist DS2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Pentax ist DS2

 E-3 ist DS2 
ReleasedFebruary 2008August 2005More modern by 31 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution230k210kSharper screen (+20k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Olympus E-3

 ist DS2 E-3 

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Pentax ist DS2

 E-3 ist DS2 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Screen dimensions2.5"2.5"Equal screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-3 features outside dimensions of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") with a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-3 versus Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the E-3 compared to the ist DS2.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and ist DS2 is 56 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by checking specs. The picture below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-3 and ist DS2.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-3 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Olympus E-3 will resolve extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer E-3 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography details
57
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
51
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low resolution sensor (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
70
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others in class (605g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography information
58
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 Travel photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography features
55
environment proof
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
lack of Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (10MP)
52
lighter than others in class (605 grams)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography details
56
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
tiny screen (2.5")
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
47
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
18
no video
22
lighter than others in class (605g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
low quality video ( resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus E-3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Pentax ist DS2
 Olympus E-3Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-3 Pentax ist DS2
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-02-20 2005-08-22
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Total lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Highest video resolution None -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 890g (1.96 pounds) 605g (1.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light rating 571 not tested
Other
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $670 -