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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
67
Imaging
62
Features
96
Overall
75
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Olympus E-M1 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 580g - 134 x 91 x 69mm
  • Announced February 2020
  • Old Model is Olympus E-M1 II
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
  • Announced August 2005
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the E-M1 III (20MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the E-M1 III (Four Thirds) and ist DS2 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

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The E-M1 III was revealed 14 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M1 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the E-M1 III matches up versus the ist DS2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 III over the Pentax ist DS2

 E-M1 III ist DS2 
AnnouncedFebruary 2020August 2005More recent by 177 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k210kSharper screen (+827k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Olympus E-M1 III

 ist DS2 E-M1 III 

Common features in the Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax ist DS2

 E-M1 III ist DS2 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-M1 III enjoys physical measurements of 134mm x 91mm x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") and a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications 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-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the E-M1 III and the ist DS2.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-M1 III and ist DS2 is 67 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements merely by reviewing specifications. The photograph underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 III and ist DS2.

Plainly, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-M1 III with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Olympus E-M1 III will offer you greater detail because of its extra 14 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern E-M1 III should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Portrait photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography details
77
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
50
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
resolution not great (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Street photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography highlights
78
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has focus by touch
environment proofing
great ISO range (25,600)
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Sports photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography features
81
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/32,000s)
high fps (60.0 frames per second)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Travel photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
79
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
has focus by touch
megapixel count decent (20MP)
selfie friendly display
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-M1 III Landscape photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography information
81
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
great ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
46
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (6MP)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-M1 III
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
79
selfie friendly display
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has microphone support
22
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low ( resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus E-M1 III vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-M1 III and Pentax ist DS2
 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark IIIPentax ist DS2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III Pentax ist DS2
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2020-02-11 2005-08-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic IX -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.4 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 226.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 25600 3200
Minimum native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 64 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 121 11
Cross focus points 121 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 1,037k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/32000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 60.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash -
Flash modes Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync.(2nd curtain), Manual Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 24p / 237 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 -
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 580 grams (1.28 pounds) 605 grams (1.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 134 x 91 x 69mm (5.3" x 3.6" x 2.7") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 420 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model BLH-1 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II on first slot) SD/MMC card
Card slots Two Single
Cost at launch $1,800 -