Clicky

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
86
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46
Olympus PEN E-PL1 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Olympus E-PL1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 334g - 115 x 72 x 42mm
  • Announced May 2010
  • Renewed by Olympus E-PL1s
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced August 2005
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Olympus E-PL1 versus Pentax ist DS2, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the E-PL1 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the E-PL1 (Four Thirds) and ist DS2 (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

The E-PL1 was revealed 4 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-PL1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a short highlight of how the E-PL1 matches up versus the ist DS2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PL1 over the Pentax ist DS2

 E-PL1 ist DS2 
AnnouncedMay 2010August 2005Newer by 58 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kClearer display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Olympus E-PL1

 ist DS2 E-PL1 

Common features in the Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax ist DS2

 E-PL1 ist DS2 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-PL1 has got outside measurements of 115mm x 72mm x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 334 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PL1 versus Pentax ist DS2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the E-PL1 versus the ist DS2.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-PL1 and ist DS2 is 86 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to picture the gap between sensor dimensions merely by checking a spec sheet. The image here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the E-PL1 and ist DS2.

As you can see, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-PL1 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Olympus E-PL1 will resolve extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The fresher E-PL1 should have an edge in sensor tech.

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-PL1
Portrait photography with Pentax ist DS2
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
51
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
MP count low (6 megapixels)
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Street Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Street photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography info
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
60
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others (605g)
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Sports photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography info
45
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
does not have liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-PL1
Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
52
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
52
lighter than others (605g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (6 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Landscape photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography information
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
47
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-PL1 Vlogging factors
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging factors
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
22
lighter than others (605g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low quality video ( pxls)
does not have microphone socket
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Olympus E-PL1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PL1 and Pentax ist DS2
 Olympus PEN E-PL1Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus PEN E-PL1 Pentax ist DS2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2010-05-17 2005-08-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Truepic V -
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech HyperCrystal LCD AR (Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 -
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 334g (0.74 lb) 605g (1.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 72 x 42mm (4.5" x 2.8" x 1.7") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 487 not tested
Other
Battery life 290 photos -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLS-1 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card SD/MMC card
Card slots One One
Cost at release $288 -