Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax XG-1

Below, we are comparing the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax XG-1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the XZ-2 iHS (12MP) and XG-1 (16MP) and the XZ-2 iHS (1/1.7") and XG-1 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizing.

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The XZ-2 iHS was launched 19 months earlier than the XG-1 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus XZ-2 iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the XZ-2 iHS matches up versus the XG-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus XZ-2 iHS & Pentax XG-1. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus XZ-2 iHS Gallery & Pentax XG-1 Gallery.

For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and volume. The Olympus XZ-2 iHS provides physical dimensions of 113mm x 65mm x 48mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.9") along with a weight of 346 grams (0.76 lbs) while the Pentax XG-1 has sizing of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

Compare the Olympus XZ-2 iHS vs Pentax XG-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Following is the front view scale comparison of the XZ-2 iHS versus the XG-1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-2 iHS and XG-1 is 85 and 66 respectively.

Generally, its tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through a spec sheet. The pic below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the XZ-2 iHS and XG-1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The XZ-2 iHS because of its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Pentax XG-1 will render more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged XZ-2 iHS will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.