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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
88
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Olympus Stylus SH-1 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Olympus SH-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 271g - 109 x 63 x 42mm
  • Revealed March 2014
  • Updated by Olympus SH-2
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
  • Launched August 2005
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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below is a complete assessment of the Olympus SH-1 and Pentax ist DS2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the SH-1 (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the SH-1 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The SH-1 was introduced 8 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SH-1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the SH-1 matches up versus the ist DS2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SH-1 over the Pentax ist DS2

 SH-1 ist DS2 
LaunchedMarch 2014August 2005More recent by 105 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kSharper display (+250k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Olympus SH-1

 ist DS2 SH-1 
Manually focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Olympus SH-1 and Pentax ist DS2

 SH-1 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus SH-1 features outer measurements of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SH-1 and Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at the time. Following is a front view size comparison of the SH-1 and the ist DS2.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SH-1 and ist DS2 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to visualize the gap between sensor measurements purely by checking specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SH-1 and ist DS2.

All in all, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SH-1 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Olympus SH-1 will give you greater detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics more aggressively. The more recent SH-1 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Portrait photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography features
37
MP count good (16MP)
comes with face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
50
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SH-1
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
64
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has focus by touch
lighter than competition (271g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than average in class (605 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Sports photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography factors
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
good battery (380 per charge)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus SH-1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
74
good battery (380 CIPA)
lighter than competition (271 grams)
has focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
52
lighter than average in class (605 grams)
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (6MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Landscape photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography information
49
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
MP count good (16MP)
good battery (380 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
46
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-1 Vlogging advice
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging advice
37
relatively wide (25mm)
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone socket
lighter than competition (271 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
22
lighter than average in class (605g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great ( resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
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Olympus SH-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SH-1 and Pentax ist DS2
 Olympus Stylus SH-1Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus SH-1 Pentax ist DS2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-03-31 2005-08-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 271g (0.60 lb) 605g (1.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 109 x 63 x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") 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 380 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-92B 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $349 -