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Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
54
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-6 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Olympus TG-6
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 253g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Released May 2019
  • Old Model is Olympus TG-5
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released August 2005
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Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus TG-6 and Pentax ist DS2, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the TG-6 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the TG-6 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-6 was manufactured 13 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-6 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the TG-6 grades against the ist DS2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-6 over the Pentax ist DS2

 TG-6 ist DS2 
ReleasedMay 2019August 2005Fresher by 168 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1040k210kCrisper screen (+830k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Olympus TG-6

 ist DS2 TG-6 

Common features in the Olympus TG-6 and Pentax ist DS2

 TG-6 ist DS2 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus TG-6 features exterior dimensions of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 253 grams (0.56 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Examine the Olympus TG-6 and Pentax ist DS2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the TG-6 compared to the ist DS2.

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TG-6 and ist DS2 is 90 and 68 respectively.

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking a spec sheet. The photograph here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-6 and ist DS2.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The TG-6 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Olympus TG-6 will resolve more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots far more aggressively. The newer TG-6 is going to have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-6 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
40
focusing manually
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
50
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Street photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography information
65
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (253g)
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (605g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Sports photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography details
47
high fps (20.0 frames per second)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery life (340 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-6 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
68
better than average battery life (340 per charge)
environment proofing
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than competition (253g)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
52
lighter than competition (605 grams)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
MP count low (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Landscape photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography details
57
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
environment proofing
better than average battery life (340 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Vlogging details
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging details
34
fairly wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have microphone jack
more heavy than competition (253g)
22
lighter than competition (605g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video res low ( pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Olympus TG-6 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-6 and Pentax ist DS2
 Olympus Tough TG-6Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Tough TG-6 Pentax ist DS2
Class Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Released 2019-05-22 2005-08-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 12800 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 25 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash modes Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Slow sync. (1st curtain), Red-eye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Fill- in, Manual, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PC -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 -
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 253 grams (0.56 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
Dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 340 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LI-92B 4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I support) SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $449 -