Olympus SH-2 vs Pentax ist DS2

Below, we will be matching up the Olympus SH-2 versus Pentax ist DS2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the SH-2 (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the SH-2 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The SH-2 was announced 9 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SH-2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SH-2 scores versus the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Stylus SH-2 and Pentax ist DS2. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SH-2 Gallery and Pentax ist DS2 Gallery.

When you are going to travel with your camera, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SH-2 has got outer dimensions of 109mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.7") and a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check out the Olympus SH-2 versus Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the SH-2 against the ist DS2.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SH-2 and ist DS2 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Generally, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by checking specs. The picture below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SH-2 and ist DS2.

All in all, both the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SH-2 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Olympus SH-2 will give you greater detail with its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more modern SH-2 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.