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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Olympus VG-160
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
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 VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Following is a thorough assessment of the Olympus VG-160 versus Pentax ist DS2, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the VG-160 (14MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the VG-160 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The VG-160 was announced 6 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the VG-160 matches up versus the ist DS2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Pentax ist DS2

 VG-160 ist DS2 
ReleasedJanuary 2012August 2005More modern by 78 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution230k210kSharper screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Olympus VG-160

 ist DS2 VG-160 
Manual focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax ist DS2

 VG-160 ist DS2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus VG-160 has physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check the Olympus VG-160 versus Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the VG-160 versus the ist DS2.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and ist DS2 is 96 and 68 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading specifications. The picture here might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-160 and ist DS2.

To sum up, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The VG-160 having a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Olympus VG-160 will deliver more detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The fresher VG-160 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Portrait photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography information
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
50
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Street photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography highlights
56
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
26
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no shutter priority
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (165 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
65
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (26mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (165 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
lighter than competitors (605 grams)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low MP (6MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Landscape photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography details
36
pretty wide (26mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
terrible battery pack (165 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
46
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
30
pretty wide (26mm)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (125 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
22
lighter than competitors (605 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video ( pixels)
no external mic socket
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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Pentax ist DS2
 Olympus VG-160Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus VG-160 Pentax ist DS2
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-01-10 2005-08-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 1600 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 7cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate - 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.80 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 grams (0.28 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 165 images -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID LI-70B 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $90 -