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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Released March 2009
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Olympus E-30 and Pentax K-1, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the E-30 (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The E-30 was revealed 8 years before the K-1 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summation of how the E-30 grades against the K-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 E-30 K-1 
Selfie screen Take selfies

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

 K-1 E-30 
RevealedFebruary 2016March 2009More recent by 84 months
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)

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

 E-30 K-1 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 enjoys physical dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-30 and Pentax K-1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the E-30 compared to the K-1.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-30 and K-1 is 60 and 55 respectively.

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

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to imagine the contrast between sensor measurements merely by going over specs. The visual here will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and K-1.

All in all, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-30 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-1 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 24MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a good deal more aggressively. The older E-30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography factors
59
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
85
focusing manually
high MP (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography features
Pentax K-1 Street photography features
72
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
good ISO range (204,800)
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography information
Pentax K-1 Sports photography information
51
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (750 per charge)
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (4.4 fps)
low battery (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
49
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse recording
not so great battery (750 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
53
weather proofing
high MP (36MP)
low battery (760 CIPA)
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-30
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1
52
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (750 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
81
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high MP (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
low battery (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging information
Pentax K-1 Vlogging information
18
no video shooting
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic jack
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
heavier than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Pentax K-1
 Olympus E-30Pentax K-1
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-30 Pentax K-1
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-03-24 2016-02-17
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 3200 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695g (1.53 lb) 1010g (2.23 lb)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 96
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 14.6
DXO Low light rating 530 3280
Other
Battery life 750 photographs 760 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots 1 Two
Launch pricing $1,299 $1,499