Olympus Tough-3000 vs Pentax ist DS2

Below is a in depth analysis of the Olympus Tough-3000 vs Pentax ist DS2, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the Tough-3000 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the Tough-3000 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The Tough-3000 was announced 4 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus Tough-3000 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a quick summation of how the Tough-3000 scores against the ist DS2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus Stylus Tough-3000 & Pentax ist DS2. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus Tough-3000 Gallery & Pentax ist DS2 Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus Tough-3000 comes with external dimensions of 96mm x 65mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 0.9") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has proportions 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 Tough-3000 vs Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the Tough-3000 and the ist DS2.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the Tough-3000 and ist DS2 is 94 and 68 respectively.

Often, its tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the Tough-3000 and ist DS2.

All in all, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The Tough-3000 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Olympus Tough-3000 will render more detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The fresher Tough-3000 will have a benefit in sensor tech.