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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
42
Overall
38
Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
47
Overall
40

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Olympus TG-2 iHS
(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
  • Announced June 2013
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Later Model is Pentax Q10
Photography Glossary

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q Overview

Lets look much closer at the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Pentax Q, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the TG-2 iHS (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The TG-2 iHS was brought out 2 years after the Q which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the TG-2 iHS scores against the Q when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-2 iHS over the Pentax Q

 TG-2 iHS Q 
ReleasedJune 2013June 2011Newer by 25 months
Screen resolution610k460kClearer screen (+150k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus TG-2 iHS

 Q TG-2 iHS 
Manually focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Pentax Q

 TG-2 iHS Q 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-2 iHS has physical measurements of 111mm x 67mm x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") along with a weight of 230 grams (0.51 lbs) while the Pentax Q has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-2 iHS and Pentax Q in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the TG-2 iHS and the Q.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-2 iHS and Q is 91 and 93 respectively.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by researching a spec sheet. The image underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-2 iHS and Q.

As you can see, the 2 cameras come with the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels so you can expect comparable quality of photos however you have to consider the launch date of the cameras into account. The fresher TG-2 iHS provides an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Portrait photography highlights
Pentax Q Portrait photography highlights
27
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
45
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Street photography details
Pentax Q Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (180g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-2 iHS
Sports photography with Pentax Q
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery (350 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
32
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Travel photography details
Pentax Q Travel photography details
68
better than average battery (350 CIPA)
environment proofing
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
lack of Time Lapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
57
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (230 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-2 iHS Landscape photography features
Pentax Q Landscape photography features
46
relatively wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proofing
better than average battery (350 per charge)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
manual exposure not possible
resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-2 iHS
Vlogging with Pentax Q
36
relatively wide (25mm)
great maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
lack of mic support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (180g)
display isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
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Olympus TG-2 iHS vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-2 iHS and Pentax Q
 Olympus Tough TG-2 iHSPentax Q
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS Pentax Q
Class Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-06-28 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3968 x 2976 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 25
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 610k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech OLED TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 5.60 m
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 230 grams (0.51 lb) 180 grams (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 67 x 29mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.1") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life 350 images 230 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model Li-90B D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 and 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $380 $695