Clicky

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 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 Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Introduced March 2009
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-S1
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the E-30 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The E-30 was manufactured 6 years earlier than the K-S2 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the E-30 scores vs the K-S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Pentax K-S2

 E-30 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Olympus E-30

 K-S2 E-30 
RevealedFebruary 2015March 2009More recent by 71 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Pentax K-S2

 E-30 K-S2 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-30 has outer measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") along with a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the E-30 versus the K-S2.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and K-S2 is 60 and 64 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-30 and K-S2.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The E-30 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-S2 will provide more detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older E-30 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-30
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
59
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
78
has manual focus
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Street photography advice
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
72
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competitors (678g)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography details
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography details
51
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
low battery life (750 per charge)
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.4 fps)
low battery power (410 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
49
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery life (750 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
65
environment proofing
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
low battery power (410 per charge)
more heavy than competitors (678 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-30
Landscape photography with Pentax K-S2
52
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
low battery life (750 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
low battery power (410 shots)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
18
can't shoot video
71
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (678g)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Pentax K-S2
 Olympus E-30Pentax K-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-30 Pentax K-S2
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-03-24 2015-02-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 gr (1.53 pounds) 678 gr (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 530 not tested
Other
Battery life 750 shots 410 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-1 D-LI109
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $1,299 $581