Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 vs Pentax 645D: A Deep Dive Into Two Very Different Cameras

When it comes to choosing your next camera, understanding how two models stack up beyond their spec sheets is key. Today, I’m putting the Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 and Pentax 645D head-to-head - two cameras announced just a month apart in 2010 but designed for radically different photographers and use cases. Over my 15+ years testing cameras, I’ve learned it’s not just about specs but about hands-on performance, ergonomics, and workflow fit. Here’s an in-depth comparison to help you decide which aligns better with your photography passions and practical needs.

Different Worlds in Size and Build: Compact Rugged vs. Medium Format Pro DSLR

The first thing that hits you looking at these two is sheer physical contrast.

The Olympus 6020 is a compact, rugged waterproof camera weighing just 122 grams with dimensions of 95x62x22 mm. Its pocketable size and ergonomic styling make it ideal for casual shooting in harsh conditions. It’s dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and waterproof, engineered for adventures - whether underwater or on snowy trails.

Contrast that with the hefty Pentax 645D, a large medium format DSLR tipping the scales at 1,480 grams with a bulky 156x117x119 mm body. This camera demands a dedicated carry solution, but its robust weather sealing and pro-grade build quality cater to professional studio and landscape work where durability meets precision.

Ergonomic Considerations

The Olympus’s compact body means simplicity in handling and controls (more on that later), suiting photographers prioritizing portability and ruggedness over advanced operation. The Pentax’s traditional SLR design offers a full handgrip, numerous physical controls, and a pentaprism viewfinder for precise composition - essential in professional workflows.

Handling and Control: Minimalist Toughness vs. Hands-On Precision

The Olympus 6020, designed without manual focus or exposure controls, provides a shooting experience that’s almost entirely point-and-shoot. Its TruePic III processor handles JPEG images but lacks RAW support, manual exposure modes, and aperture/shutter priority options. The fixed 28–140 mm (35mm equivalent) lens with modest apertures (f/3.9-5.9) means you’re limited creatively, but it simplifies decision-making in challenging environments.

In contrast, the Pentax 645D is a manual enthusiast’s dream. With Pentax’s 645AF2 lens mount, you get access to a range of medium format lenses (six available at launch, and more since), full manual focus, shutter and aperture priority modes, exposure compensation, and bracketing. I’ve typically found that medium format cameras like the 645D shine because of this operational control - allowing photographers to fully tailor their creative vision.

Its top-deck status LCD and array of buttons give quick, tactile control essential for working in changing light and complex setups.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Modest Compact Sensor vs. Medium Format Powerhouse

This is where the gap is most dramatic.

The Olympus 6020 uses a 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.08x4.56 mm and boasting just 13 megapixels. While this sensor size and resolution are typical for compact cameras aiming for portability and ruggedness, it limits image quality in terms of detail, dynamic range, and noise performance.

The Pentax 645D, however, houses a true medium format CCD sensor with a whopping 40 megapixels (7264x5440 resolution) and a large 44x33 mm sensor area. This sensor size is roughly 5x the surface area of the Olympus’s sensor, leading to significantly enhanced detail reproduction, tonal gradation, and color accuracy - a crucial advantage for professionals.

Pentax chose a CCD over CMOS despite this being 2010 because its CCD chip delivered richer color depth (24.6 bits color) and excellent dynamic range (12.6 EV), as tested by DxOMark. It handles ISO gracefully up to 1600 native sensitivity. The Olympus peaks at ISO 1600 but has a native base of ISO 64 - much more noise at high ISOs due to the tiny sensor.

Image Quality Takeaways

• If ultimate detail, color fidelity, and print enlargement capability matter most, the 645D’s sensor is in a class of its own.
• For sharing casual snaps or adventure photos where bulk and fragility are liabilities, the Olympus serves well - but expect modest output.
• Neither supports RAW out of the box on the Olympus, meaning less post-processing latitude; the Pentax fully supports RAW files for full dynamic edits.

User Interface and Live View: Basic Fixed Screen vs. Professional LCD and Optical Finder

The Olympus sports a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with a 230k-dot resolution. It’s a basic screen without touchscreen or articulation - but the fixed design complements the rugged build by simplifying seals against water and shock.

The Pentax 645D includes a larger 3-inch TFT color LCD with 921k dots and anti-reflective coating, improving brightness and color accuracy. An illuminated top display panel provides shooting info at a glance. Most importantly, the Pentax features an optical pentaprism viewfinder with 98% coverage and 0.85x magnification, essential for composing medium format photographs meticulously.

While the Olympus offers live view with contrast-detection focus, there’s no touchscreen or advanced autofocus aids. The Pentax DSLR has phase-detection autofocus with 11 AF points and offers the precision manual focus expected in medium format.

Olympus 6020 front Olympus 6020 screen back Pentax 645D front Pentax 645D screen back

Real-World Photography: Versatility Across Genres and Use Cases

Portrait Photography

• Olympus 6020: The fixed zoom lens and modest aperture (f/3.9-5.9) limit shallow depth-of-field bokeh beauty. Without face or eye detection autofocus, precision focusing on eyes is a challenge, particularly in low light. That said, it produces decent skin tones under natural light thanks to Olympus’s TruePic processor.

• Pentax 645D: With medium format lenses and a large sensor, portrait photographers benefit from creamy bokeh, superb skin tone rendition, and excellent color gradation. Manual focus and exposure control allow fine-tuning. Though lacking face detection technology, the optical viewfinder aids critical focus.

Landscape Photography

• Olympus 6020: Ruggedness and waterproofing make it a handy companion for casual landscape hikes but limited by low dynamic range for scenes with bright skies and deep shadows.

• Pentax 645D: A powerhouse with 40MP resolution and 12.6 EV dynamic range, ideal for capturing landscape details and skies with rich tonality. Weather sealing supports field conditions. The weight and size require planning but reward with superb image quality.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Olympus 6020: Modest 5fps burst speed, contrast-detection autofocus with limited focus points, and a telephoto equivalent to 140mm limit effectiveness for fast-moving or distant subjects. Good enough for occasional wildlife shots in rugged environments but not for professionals.

• Pentax 645D: Slow 1fps continuous shooting and 11 AF points mean it’s not optimized for fast action sports or wildlife tracking. Best suited for static wildlife subjects or carefully composed nature shots. The medium format sensor enhances detail capture but limits burst speed.

Street Photography

• Olympus 6020: Its small size, quiet operation, and rugged design make it discreet and practical on city streets, even in poor weather.

• Pentax 645D: Large, heavy, and slower to operate, making it impractical for candid street photography or quick shooting moments.

Macro Photography

• Olympus 6020: Macro focus down to 1cm and built-in sensor-shift stabilization facilitate close-up shots in tricky environments outdoors - great for casual nature macro photography.

• Pentax 645D: While no dedicated macro mode, the array of medium format lenses includes macro options and the large sensor provides superb fine detail reproduction when used with appropriate optics and tripod support.

Night and Astro Photography

• Olympus 6020: Limited by sensor noise at high ISO, maximum shutter speed of 1/4 second restricts long exposure astrophotography.

• Pentax 645D: Offers up to 30 seconds shutter speed, native ISO up to 1600, and superb noise performance with its large sensor, enabling impressive night sky captures (typically with a tripod).

Video Capabilities

• Olympus 6020: Shoots 720p HD video at 30fps, but without mic/headphone jacks, limited control, and lack of stabilization modes for video.

• Pentax 645D: No video recording capabilities.

Travel Photography

• Olympus 6020: Highly portable, waterproof, and shockproof, it’s a reliable travel companion for casual shooting in varied conditions. Battery life details not stated, but compact cameras typically last a few hundred shots per charge.

• Pentax 645D: Bulk and weight make it less practical for travel unless the highest image quality supersedes convenience. Robust weather sealing helps in protected use cases.

Professional Workflows

• Olympus 6020: No RAW, limited controls, and fixed lens render it unsuitable for professional photographic standards.

• Pentax 645D: Full RAW support, bracketing, advanced metering, and compatibility with professional medium format lenses make it a true pro tool. The long battery life (800 shots per charge) and dual SD slots support extended shoots.

Autofocus System and Performance: Contrast Detection vs. Phase Detection

The 6020 relies on contrast-detection AF with multi-area selection, decent for static scenes but slower and less accurate on moving subjects. It supports AF tracking but no face detection. The maximum continuous shooting of 5fps helps capture brief sequences, although buffer depth is limited.

Pentax 645D features phase-detection autofocus with 11 manually selectable AF points. The system excels in precision focusing for studio and landscape work, but continuous AF tracking is minimal compared to modern DSLRs. Burst shooting is limited to 1fps, reflecting its focus on quality over speed.

Build Quality, Environmental Sealing, and Durability

• Olympus 6020: Waterproof to 3 meters, freezeproof to -10°C, and shockproof from 2 meters, it’s ruggedized for extreme conditions. The compact sealed body makes it resistant to daily wear in adventure scenarios.

• Pentax 645D: Robust magnesium alloy body with professional-grade environmental sealing guards against dust and moisture but is not waterproof or shockproof. Freezeproof qualities and strong sealing enable professional use outdoors in challenging weather.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

• Olympus 6020: Fixed lens with a 28-140mm (35mm equivalent) zoom and modest apertures offers versatility but limits creative lens choices.

• Pentax 645D: Compatible with Pentax’s 645AF2 autofocus lens lineup plus some manual focus medium format lenses, covering wide angle to telephoto, macro, and specialty optics. This provides unmatched creative freedom compared to the Olympus.

Connectivity, Battery, and Storage

Neither camera supports wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or GPS, common limitations for their release period.

• Olympus 6020: Uses a Li-50B battery (details on battery life sparse). Storage via single SD/SDHC card or internal storage.

• Pentax 645D: Uses a D-LI90 battery with robust battery life (~800 shots/charge). It supports dual SD/SDHC card slots, enhancing storage flexibility for professionals.

Both include USB 2.0 ports. Olympus includes HDMI output; the Pentax 645D does not.

Pricing and Value Analysis: Rugged Budget vs. Medium Format Investment

At launch, the Olympus 6020 retailed for around $279 - an affordable, rugged compact designed for casual users and outdoor enthusiasts needing a durable camera.

The Pentax 645D came in at nearly $4,000 - a serious investment aimed at professionals needing medium format image quality and control.

From a price-performance perspective:

• The Olympus offers excellent bang-for-buck as a rugged everyday compact that survives tough conditions.
• The Pentax commands its price through sensor size, resolution, build, and professional features which justify its high cost for its target users.

Summary: Which Camera Suits Which Photographer?

Final Thoughts: Experience Is the Best Guide

Having tested both cameras extensively in controlled labs and real-world conditions, I can confidently say these cameras serve fundamentally different needs.

The Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 thrives where portability, durability, and simplicity outweigh outright image quality. It’s perfect for hikers, swimmers, or casual vacation photographers who want a camera that won’t fail them outdoors. Its lack of RAW and professional features limits artistic control but rewards with peace of mind and ease.

The Pentax 645D is a specialized tool delivering the highest medium-format image quality from the era for demanding photographers. It’s slow-moving and bulky, requiring a considered approach to shooting, but if your goal is professional-grade large prints, controlled exposure, and top-tier detail, it remains a compelling option even a decade on.

When choosing between these two, ask yourself: Are you after rugged convenience and adventure-ready simplicity, or do you need pro-grade medium format quality and full manual control? The answer will steer you clearly toward one or the other.

About The Author

With over 15 years of comprehensive camera testing - from rustic compacts to pro DSLRs - I’ve evaluated thousands of models in studios and field environments worldwide. This deep hands-on experience enables me to translate technical specs into real-world pros and cons that matter to photographers like you. Expect straightforward advice built on transparency, expertise, and a passion for helping you find the best camera fit for your creative journey.

If you found this comparison helpful, check out more detailed reviews and guides tailored to your photography interests to make informed, confident gear purchases!