• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax VS20 advantages over Olympus TG-2

  • Less expensive
    $250 vs $380 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    560 mm vs 100 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Olympus TG-2 advantages over Pentax VS20

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.55 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/3.1
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 38 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    610k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 1.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    25 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Pentax VS20
Pentax VS20

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus TG-2

Review Excerpt

  • Fast f/2 lens at wide angle; Decent image quality for its class; Excellent waterproof and rugged specs; Solid feature set, including the cool Microscopic Macro function for super closeups; Aperture priority mode; Peppy performance and good battery life; Accepts conversion lenses.

  • Tendency to underexpose shots in Auto mode; Aggressive noise reduction smudges fine detail; Poor video quality with lots of artifacts; No built-in Wi-Fi.

  • Read our Olympus TG-2 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus SZ-12

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-12
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-12

Olympus TG-2
Olympus SZ-12
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $128
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus SZ-12

Compared to Olympus TG-1

Pentax VS20
Olympus TG-1
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus TG-1

Olympus TG-2
Olympus TG-1
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in GPS
  • $400
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus TG-1

Compared to Olympus SZ-16

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-16
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-16

Olympus TG-2
Olympus SZ-16
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $230
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus SZ-16

Compared to Olympus SZ-15

Pentax VS20
Olympus SZ-15
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Longer exposure
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus SZ-15

Olympus TG-2
Olympus SZ-15
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Bigger pixels
  • $162
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus SZ-15

Compared to Olympus TG-3

Pentax VS20
Olympus TG-3
  • $106
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax VS20 vs Olympus TG-3

Olympus TG-2
Olympus TG-3
  • $383
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More dots on screen
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-2 vs Olympus TG-3

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