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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Pentax K-x

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
40
Overall
37
Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

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

Olympus TG-1 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 230g - 112 x 67 x 30mm
  • Introduced May 2012
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Pentax K-x Overview

Below is a extended analysis of the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Pentax K-x, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the TG-1 iHS (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is pretty close but the TG-1 iHS (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The TG-1 iHS was unveiled 2 years later than the K-x and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-1 iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple summary of how the TG-1 iHS matches up vs the K-x in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-1 iHS over the Pentax K-x

 TG-1 iHS K-x 
LaunchedMay 2012December 2009More recent by 29 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution610k230kCrisper screen (+380k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Olympus TG-1 iHS

 K-x TG-1 iHS 
Manual focus More exact focus

Common features in the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Pentax K-x

 TG-1 iHS K-x 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-1 iHS features outside dimensions of 112mm x 67mm x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-1 iHS and Pentax K-x in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the TG-1 iHS against the K-x.

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

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-1 iHS and K-x is 91 and 69 respectively.

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

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements simply by viewing specs. The photograph underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-1 iHS and K-x.

All in all, both of those cameras provide the same MP albeit not the same sensor measurements. The TG-1 iHS has the smaller sensor which should make obtaining bokeh tougher. The newer TG-1 iHS will have an edge in sensor technology.

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

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Pentax K-x Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Portrait photography features
Pentax K-x Portrait photography features
27
offers face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not available
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Street photography features
Pentax K-x Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-1 iHS
Sports photography with Pentax K-x
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery pack (350 shots)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (1,900 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-1 iHS
Travel photography with Pentax K-x
68
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
environment proofing
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
54
good battery power (1,900 CIPA)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
46
rather wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
great battery pack (350 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not available
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (1,900 CIPA)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-1 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-x as a Vlogging camera
36
rather wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
missing external mic support
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus TG-1 iHS vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-1 iHS and Pentax K-x
 Olympus Tough TG-1 iHSPentax K-x
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS Pentax K-x
Type Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-05-08 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic VI Prime
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 610k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance - 16.00 m
Flash settings - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 230 gr (0.51 lb) 580 gr (1.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 67 x 30mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 811
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 1900 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI90B 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage - SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $399 $600