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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II 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 Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Launched March 2009
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-5
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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-30 versus Pentax K-5 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Olympus and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the E-30 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The E-30 was introduced 5 years prior to the K-5 II and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before going into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the E-30 scores against the K-5 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Pentax K-5 II

 E-30 K-5 II 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Olympus E-30

 K-5 II E-30 
AnnouncedJune 2013March 2009Fresher by 51 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Pentax K-5 II

 E-30 K-5 II 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you need to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-30 comes with outside dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") with a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-30 versus Pentax K-5 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the E-30 compared to the K-5 II.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and K-5 II is 60 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out specs. The graphic underneath may provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the E-30 and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The E-30 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-5 II will provide more detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older E-30 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography features
59
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-30
Street photography with Pentax K-5 II
72
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography highlights
51
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery life (750 shots)
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography details
49
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (750 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
65
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-30
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 II
52
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (750 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Vlogging camera
18
can't record video
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Pentax K-5 II
 Olympus E-30Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-30 Pentax K-5 II
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-03-24 2013-06-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal II LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695 gr (1.53 lbs) 760 gr (1.68 lbs)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 82
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 14.1
DXO Low light rating 530 1235
Other
Battery life 750 photos 980 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-1 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $1,299 $830