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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Revealed November 2003
  • Renewed by Olympus E-3
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • New Model is Pentax K-50
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here is a in depth overview of the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax K-30, former being a Pro DSLR while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the E-1 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-1 was introduced 10 years earlier than the K-30 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a concise overview of how the E-1 matches up versus the K-30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Pentax K-30

 E-1 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus E-1

 K-30 E-1 
IntroducedOctober 2012November 2003Fresher by 108 months
Screen size3"1.8"Bigger screen (+1.2")
Screen resolution921k134kSharper screen (+787k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-30

 E-1 K-30 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera, you should factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-1 provides exterior dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-1 versus Pentax K-30 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the E-1 versus the K-30.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-1 and K-30 is 59 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing technical specs. The graphic below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the E-1 and K-30.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-1 with its smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-30 will provide greater detail using its extra 11 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older E-1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography highlights
46
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
does not have liveview
resolution not great (5 megapixels)
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-30 Street photography factors
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
lighter than competition in class (735g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (5MP)
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography details
Pentax K-30 Travel photography details
47
lighter than competition in class (735g)
weather proof
no Time Lapse function
resolution not great (5 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery pack (410 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography information
46
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen is somewhat small (1.8 inches)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
resolution not great (5MP)
no Time Lapse function
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
low battery pack (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 Vlogging information
Pentax K-30 Vlogging information
9
lack of video recording
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
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Olympus E-1 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Pentax K-30
 Olympus E-1Pentax K-30
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-1 Pentax K-30
Category Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2003-11-29 2012-10-29
Body design Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 2560 x 1920 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 3 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 1.8 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 134 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 grams (1.62 lb) 650 grams (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1129
Other
Battery life - 410 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $1,700 $525