Olympus TG-870 vs Pentax ist DL2

Below, we are looking at the Olympus TG-870 and Pentax ist DL2, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the TG-870 (16MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the TG-870 (1/2.3") and ist DL2 (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The TG-870 was launched 10 years later than the ist DL2 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus TG-870 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the TG-870 scores against the ist DL2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus Stylus Tough TG-870 and Pentax ist DL2. The complete galleries are available at Olympus TG-870 Gallery and Pentax ist DL2 Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-870 comes with exterior dimensions of 113mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 221 grams (0.49 lbs) while the Pentax ist DL2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-870 and Pentax ist DL2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the TG-870 versus the ist DL2.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the TG-870 and ist DL2 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Generally, it is very hard to see the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking specifications. The graphic below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-870 and ist DL2.

To sum up, each of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The TG-870 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Olympus TG-870 will give more detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The more modern TG-870 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.