Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax RS1500
91 Imaging
36 Features
42 Overall
38


93 Imaging
37 Features
30 Overall
34
Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
- 230g - 111 x 67 x 29mm
- Released June 2013
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
- Introduced March 2011

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Overview
Let's examine more closely at the Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax RS1500, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty well matched and they possess the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The TG-2 iHS was brought out 2 years after the RS1500 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the TG-2 iHS grades versus the RS1500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS & Pentax Optio RS1500. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus TG-2 iHS Gallery & Pentax RS1500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Pentax RS1500
TG-2 iHS | RS1500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2013 | ![]() | March 2011 | Newer by 28 months |
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 610k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+380k dot) |
Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Olympus TG-2 iHS
RS1500 | TG-2 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing |
Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Pentax RS1500
TG-2 iHS | RS1500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly screen |
Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is going to travel with your camera, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Olympus TG-2 iHS offers physical dimensions of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") having a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Pentax RS1500 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Check out the Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the TG-2 iHS versus the RS1500.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-2 iHS and RS1500 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it can be hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-2 iHS and RS1500.
As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit different MP. You can expect the Pentax RS1500 to resolve extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern TG-2 iHS should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS | Pentax Optio RS1500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS | Pentax Optio RS1500 |
Class | Waterproof | Small Sensor Compact |
Released | 2013-06-28 | 2011-03-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 3968 x 2976 | 4288 x 3216 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-100mm (4.0x) | 28-110mm (3.9x) |
Largest aperture | f/2.0-4.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing range | 1cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 2.7" |
Resolution of display | 610 thousand dot | 230 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display technology | OLED | TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 4s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1500s |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0fps | 1.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 3.90 m |
Flash settings | - | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 230 gr (0.51 pounds) | 157 gr (0.35 pounds) |
Dimensions | 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") | 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 pictures | 260 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | Li-90B | D-LI92 |
Self timer | Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | - | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $380 | $150 |