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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Revealed March 2009
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-50
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Olympus E-30 and Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the E-30 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The E-30 was brought out 4 years prior to the K-30 and that is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-30 grades vs the K-30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 E-30 K-30 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

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

 K-30 E-30 
IntroducedOctober 2012March 2009Fresher by 43 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

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

 E-30 K-30 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 comes with physical measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") with a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus E-30 and Pentax K-30 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the E-30 and the K-30.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-30 and K-30 is 60 and 63 respectively.

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

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing purely by checking specifications. The photograph underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and K-30.

To sum up, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-30 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-30 will give extra detail having its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots far more aggressively. The older E-30 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

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

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

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography features
59
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography information
Pentax K-30 Street photography information
72
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-30
Sports photography with Pentax K-30
51
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery power (750 shots)
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography features
Pentax K-30 Travel photography features
49
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse function
bad battery power (750 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
60
environment proof
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery (410 per charge)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography highlights
52
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery power (750 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
terrible battery (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging info
Pentax K-30 Vlogging info
18
can't shoot video
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing external mic port
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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Pentax K-30
 Olympus E-30Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-30 Pentax K-30
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-03-24 2012-10-29
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4032 x 3024 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology HyperCrystal II LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 695 gr (1.53 pounds) 650 gr (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 79
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 13.0
DXO Low light score 530 1129
Other
Battery life 750 shots 410 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-1 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $1,299 $525