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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Revealed January 2014
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
  • Launched August 2005
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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus SP-100 versus Pentax ist DS2, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the SP-100 (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the SP-100 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The SP-100 was revealed 8 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the SP-100 grades vs the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Pentax ist DS2

 SP-100 ist DS2 
LaunchedJanuary 2014August 2005Fresher by 103 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k210kClearer screen (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Olympus SP-100

 ist DS2 SP-100 

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Pentax ist DS2

 SP-100 ist DS2 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-100 provides physical dimensions of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") accompanied by a weight of 594 grams (1.31 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus SP-100 versus Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the SP-100 and the ist DS2.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SP-100 and ist DS2 is 63 and 68 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-100 and ist DS2.

Clearly, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SP-100 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Olympus SP-100 will offer you greater detail because of its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The newer SP-100 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography features
44
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
50
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
low megapixels (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-100
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
42
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
heavier than competition in class (594g)
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average (605 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Sports photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography advice
53
amazing zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
features tracking focus
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus SP-100
Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
53
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (1200mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (594g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
52
lighter than average (605g)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (6MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Landscape photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography features
47
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
46
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Vlogging factors
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging factors
29
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic socket
sluggish max aperture (f2.9)
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (594g)
22
lighter than average (605g)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great ( pixels)
lack of mic support
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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Pentax ist DS2
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-100 Pentax ist DS2
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-01-29 2005-08-22
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 -
Minimum native ISO 125 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 24-1200mm (50.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.9-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical
Viewfinder resolution 920 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 7.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video file format H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional 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 594 gr (1.31 pounds) 605 gr (1.33 pounds)
Dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-92B 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $400 -