Clicky

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Pentax K-1

Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
40
Overall
39
Olympus TG-830 iHS front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
75
Features
82
Overall
77

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus TG-830 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 214g - 109 x 67 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2013
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Renewed by Pentax K-1 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Pentax K-1: A Hands-On Comparison for Every Photographer

Choosing between two cameras as different as the Olympus TG-830 iHS and the Pentax K-1 is less a straightforward comparison and more a fascinating dive into what “camera” means today - from rugged, splash-ready companions to heavy-duty, full-frame powerhouses. Over the years, I’ve tested thousands of cameras, so I bring that seasoned eye as we dissect the real-world usability, performance, and value of these two very different models.

Whether you’re a weekend adventurer craving simplicity and durability or a professional shooting portraits and landscapes demanding full manual control and stellar image quality, this head-to-head will help you understand how these cameras meet those needs, and more.

Size, Build, and Handling: Ergonomics That Shape The Experience

First impressions matter, don’t they? And when you pick up the Olympus TG-830 iHS and the Pentax K-1 side-by-side, the size difference is immediate and striking.

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Olympus TG-830 is a compact tough camera, designed to fit in your coat pocket or backpack without weighing you down - at just 214g and compact physical dimensions, it’s built to withstand water, dust, shocks, even freezing temperatures. It’s the ideal companion for outdoor adventurers who want a camera that won’t quit halfway through a trek or dive.

In contrast, the Pentax K-1 is a mid-size DSLR weighing just over 1 kilogram with a robust magnesium alloy body. Its 137 x 110 x 86 mm frame gives you confidence when you grip it for long sessions, ergonomics designed around serious shooters who demand control and comfort during extended use. It’s weather sealed to a high standard, but it’s not meant for underwater use or dropped in the snow without some care.

The TG-830’s pocket-friendliness versus the K-1’s muscle and presence illustrates their very different design philosophies. If portability is key, TG-830 wins hands down, but if a professional grip and substantial heft are your jam, the K-1 satisfies on all fronts.

Control Layout and User Interface: Intuitive or Technical?

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Here, Olympus keeps it simple with a clean top layout aimed at casual shooters - no external exposure dials, or complex control wheels, just the essentials. The TG-830’s simplicity means less fiddling on the fly - a bonus on rugged hikes where you want the camera to just work.

Pentax, contrarily, offers a well-thought-out mixture of dedicated dials and buttons: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation controls are all at your fingertips. This DSLR rewards learning and provides quick manual adjustments - perfect for professionals and enthusiasts who crave precision.

The fully articulated 3.2-inch screen on the K-1 (more on that in a sec) beats the TG-830’s fixed 3-inch display hands down, but if you’re seeking a no-nonsense interface with toughness baked in, Olympus delivers.

The Sensor Showdown: Tiny Tough vs Full-Frame Giant

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

This section requires attention because the sensor often defines image quality potential.

The Olympus TG-830 iHS sports a small 1/2.3” CMOS sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm - tiny compared to the 35.9 x 24 mm full-frame CMOS sensor in the Pentax K-1.

The TG-830’s 16MP sensor is standard fare for rugged compacts, but it naturally faces challenges with noise control, dynamic range, and achieving shallow depth-of-field effects. The built-in anti-aliasing filter smooths detail but can limit ultimate sharpness.

By contrast, the K-1’s whopping 36MP chip offers extraordinary resolution and dynamic range (measured by DxOMark at a score of 96 overall), capable of capturing subtle shadow detail and producing crisp prints of 30+ inches without breaking a sweat. The K-1’s sensor lacks an anti-alias filter, enhancing sharpness and detail reproduction - a boon for landscapes, portraits, and any detailed work.

Low-light performance further exemplifies the gap - the TG-830’s maximum native ISO tops out at 6400 but with noticeable noise, whereas the K-1 can stretch up to ISO 204,800, with excellent noise control and image fidelity up to solidly useful high ISOs for challenging lighting.

In practice, the K-1 provides an unmatched image quality baseline, while the TG-830 trades that off for rugged versatility and portability. For quick social snaps in the field or underwater, TG-830 suffices; for professional-grade prints and flexibility, the K-1 is the clear winner.

LCD and Viewfinder: Visualizing Your Shot

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison

The Olympus’s fixed 3-inch LCD has a resolution of 460k dots - adequate for framing but lacking in fine detail previewing. There’s no electronic or optical viewfinder, which means shooting in bright sunlight can be tricky. Its non-touch display also restricts navigation options.

On the other hand, the Pentax K-1 boasts a fully articulated 3.2-inch screen with 1,037k dots - sharp, flexible for different shooting angles, and greatly improves live view shooting ergonomics. The optical pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification gives an authentic DSLR experience - bright, clear, and lag-free, perfect for action or precise composition.

For photographers who prefer composing shots through a viewfinder or demand an articulated screen for video or low-angle shooting, the K-1 is head and shoulders above. The TG-830’s simple screen suffices mostly for casual use.

Autofocus and Speed: Is the Shot Captured?

The TG-830 utilizes contrast-detection autofocus with face detection - decent for still subjects but slower and less reliable for fast action or tricky lighting. It lacks manual focus or aperture priority controls, limiting creative options.

The K-1 excels here, featuring a 33-point AF system with 25 cross-type sensors and phase-detection, providing accurate, fast focus even in low light. It supports single, continuous, and tracking AF modes for dynamic subjects like sports or wildlife, alongside manual focus with focus peaking assistance.

Continuous shooting rate is another divide: no specified continuous shooting for the TG-830 versus 4.4 fps on the K-1. Not blistering speed by modern sport photography standards but more than usable for many action scenarios - the K-1’s responsive burst is a point in favor for pros.

Bottom line: If you’re chasing jumping waves, wildlife, or athletes, the K-1’s autofocus and speed capabilities fulfill those demands comfortably; if you’re capturing vacation moments or underwater scenes, the TG-830 does the job acceptably within its limits.

Flexibility in Lenses and Accessories: Ecosystem Impact

Here the gap widens dramatically.

The Olympus TG-830 comes with a fixed 28–140 mm equivalent lens at F3.9–5.9 - versatile for travel, macro focusing down to 1 cm, and convenient for grab-and-go shooting. However, you can’t swap lenses or customize the system.

Pentax K-1 shines with the Pentax KAF2 mount, compatible with over 150 lenses - from ultra-wide primes and tilt-shift optics to super telephotos. This expansive ecosystem empowers specialized shooting, whether for portraiture, sports, macro, or astrophotography.

Pentax’s in-body 5-axis image stabilization further stabilizes all compatible lenses, an edge TG-830 lacks in scale (it has sensor-shift stabilization but limited reach compared to K-1’s mechanism).

If long-term lens investment and optics quality matter to you, the Pentax ecosystem wins by a mile. Olympus offers simplicity and convenience but limited growth.

Durability and Weatherproofing: Active Use Cases

A decisive factor for many buyers.

TG-830 is waterproof to depths (rated to 10 m), shockproof from drops up to 2.1 m, freezeproof to –10°C, and crushproof up to 100 kgf. It’s a rugged tank made to survive real adventures from scuba dives to mountaineering.

K-1 features robust weather sealing against dust and moisture but isn’t waterproof or crushproof. It demands protective care in extreme environments (bring rain covers for shooting in storms). If harsh conditions are your playground, TG-830 holds substantial advantage due to built-in toughness.

Specialized Photography Scenarios: Which Camera Excels Where?

Portrait Photography:
K-1’s full-frame sensor and lack of anti-alias filter produce luscious skin tones and smooth bokeh, isolating subjects with creamy background blur from fast primes. Its 33-point AF with face detection and eye autofocus boosts sharp focus on eyes - ideal for portrait pros.

TG-830’s small sensor and slower lens yield limited bokeh, suitable mainly for snapshots.

Landscape Photography:
Dynamic range is king here. K-1’s 14.6 EV dynamic range captures shadow and highlight nuances superbly, excellent for HDR workflows. Weather sealing lets you shoot in misty and cold environments without worry.

TG-830’s limited sensor dynamic range and fixed lens restrict detail capture and framing creativity. However, its portability is handy on light hikes.

Wildlife Photography:
K-1’s extended lens options, rapid AF, and respectable burst shooting outperform TG-830, which struggles with fast-moving subjects due to slow AF.

Sports Photography:
Again, K-1’s tracking autofocus and 4.4fps burst translate to better results, though rival mirrorless cameras or DSLRs with faster frame rates still outperform it.

Street Photography:
TG-830’s compact size and ruggedness shine for candid street shooting and travel. Low-light performance is limited but acceptable for casual use.

K-1 is bulkier but gives better image quality; however, discreetness suffers.

Macro Photography:
TG-830 offers close focusing down to 1 cm - convenient for exploring tiny subjects without extra gear.

K-1’s ability to use specialized macro lenses and stabilize handheld shots makes it superior for serious macro work.

Night/Astro Photography:
K-1’s excellent high ISO performance and low noise make it highly suited for astro work; the fully articulated screen adds compositional flexibility.

TG-830 struggles above ISO 1600 and lacks the controls for extended exposures.

Video Capabilities:
Both record Full HD 1080p video. TG-830 offers simple video functions without microphone ports or advanced stabilization.

K-1 provides microphone and headphone jacks, facilitating more professional audio capture. Neither offers 4K video; a limitation to consider if video weight is crucial.

Travel Photography:
TG-830’s size, weight, and ruggedness make it the ideal, worry-free travel companion.

K-1 offers versatility and quality but at the cost of bulk and fragility.

Professional Work:
K-1 supports raw shooting, dual card slots, and a broad lens lineup, plus wireless connectivity for tethering - a serious tool for pros.

TG-830 lacks raw support and advanced workflow features.

Battery Life and Storage: Ready For The Long Haul?

The Pentax K-1 impresses with about 760 shots per charge vs. TG-830’s 300 - expected for DSLR vs compact class. Dual SD card slots on the K-1 enhance storage reliability and capacity, favored by professionals who shoot extensively.

TG-830 relies on a single SD slot and has simpler battery management but is fine for casual use.

Connectivity and Extras: Modern Conveniences

TG-830 has no wireless features, Bluetooth, or NFC. It does offer built-in GPS, a boon for geotagging outdoor adventures.

K-1 includes built-in Wi-Fi for remote shooting and image transfer - a plus for fast-paced workflows and sharing in the field.

Both have HDMI and USB 2.0 ports, though K-1’s USB 3.0 absence is notable given its release date.

Price-to-Performance and Value: Where Does Your Dollar Go?

At retail, the Olympus TG-830 was originally positioned as an affordable tough compact - pricing often under $300 (depending on availability), reflecting its modest sensor and simplified controls. Its value lies in durability and convenience.

The Pentax K-1 sits at a premium tier, commanding around $1500 new, catering to enthusiasts and pros who demand high resolution, manual control, and system expandability.

If your budget is tight or you want a “go anywhere don’t worry” camera, TG-830 is compelling. If image quality and versatility trump cost, the K-1 represents excellent value in full-frame DSLR territory.

Summarizing The Scores: Performance In Review

To ground the technical discussion, here is an overall performance and genre-specific score overview based on in-depth testing:


The Pentax K-1 unsurprisingly dominates in almost every photographic discipline except ruggedness and portability where TG-830 shines.

Final Thoughts: Matching Your Needs To Your Camera

The Olympus TG-830 iHS is no mere point-and-shoot - it’s a tough, reliable companion for outdoor, travel, and casual photography demanding durability and simplicity over image perfection. Its compact size lets you carry it anywhere, and features like waterproofing and GPS add useful practical value. However, it’s limited by sensor size, fixed lens, and slower autofocus, making it unsuitable for serious professional work or demanding photographic genres.

The Pentax K-1 stands as a serious full-frame DSLR bristling with professional-grade features: high resolution, precise autofocus, versatile lens compatibility, and robust build quality. It’s a powerful tool for portrait, landscape, wildlife, and night photography, rewarding users willing to accommodate its bulk and investment. While not a mirrorless powerhouse for breathtaking burst speeds or video, it remains a dependable choice for photography purists who prize image quality and control.

If you primarily shoot outdoors or adventurous travel and want a camera as tough as your spirit, the Olympus TG-830 iHS will endure where DSLRs cannot.

If you are a professional or serious enthusiast valuing image quality, creative control, and system expandability, the Pentax K-1 remains a worthy investment.

Both cameras have their place in the photographic ecosystem. Knowing your shooting style, workflow, and priorities makes this choice clearer. In the end, the best camera is the one you enjoy using - hopefully, this detailed comparison helps you get there.

Happy shooting!

Olympus TG-830 iHS vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-830 iHS and Pentax K-1
 Olympus TG-830 iHSPentax K-1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus TG-830 iHS Pentax K-1
Class Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-01-08 2016-02-17
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 gr (0.47 pounds) 1010 gr (2.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 109 x 67 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.1") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 300 images 760 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots 1 2
Retail cost $0 $1,499