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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Olympus E-300 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Olympus E-300
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Bump to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
  • Launched January 2005
  • Also referred to as EVOLT E-300
  • Refreshed by Olympus E-330
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released January 2006
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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus E-300 versus Pentax ist DL2, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the E-300 (Four Thirds) and ist DL2 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-300 was revealed 12 months before the ist DL2 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the E-300 matches up versus the ist DL2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Pentax ist DL2

 E-300 ist DL2 

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Olympus E-300

 ist DL2 E-300 
ReleasedJanuary 2006January 2005More modern by 12 months
Screen size2.5"1.8"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution210k134kSharper screen (+76k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Pentax ist DL2

 E-300 ist DL2 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-300 has got outside dimensions of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") having a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) while the Pentax ist DL2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-300 versus Pentax ist DL2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the E-300 compared to the ist DL2.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-300 and ist DL2 is 67 and 69 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over specs. The picture here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-300 and ist DL2.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-300 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Olympus E-300 will offer you extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged E-300 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-300 Portrait photography information
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography information
48
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
51
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-300 Street photography advice
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography advice
51
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
low maximum ISO (400)
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (565 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Sports photography camera
37
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
39
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Travel photography camera
45
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (8 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than competitors in class (565 grams)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Landscape photography camera
43
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
low maximum ISO (400)
lack of Timelapse function
47
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-300 Vlogging details
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging details
9
lack of video recording
22
lighter than competitors in class (565g)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video ( pixels)
missing microphone jack
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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-300 and Pentax ist DL2
 Olympus E-300Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-300 Pentax ist DL2
Alternative name EVOLT E-300 -
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2005-01-10 2006-01-27
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 8 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 3264 x 2448 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 400 3200
Max enhanced ISO 1600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 5
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Total lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 1.8" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 134 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 624g (1.38 pounds) 565g (1.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 639
Other
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $800 -