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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Pentax Optio P80 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
23
Overall
30

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80 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
  • Launched March 2009
Pentax P80
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.6-5.8) lens
  • 125g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Launched August 2009
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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Olympus E-30 versus Pentax P80, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the P80 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and P80 (1/2.3") provide different sensor sizing.

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The E-30 was revealed 4 months earlier than the P80 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax P80 being a Compact camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a concise summary of how the E-30 grades against the P80 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Pentax P80

 E-30 P80 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax P80 over the Olympus E-30

 P80 E-30 

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Pentax P80

 E-30 P80 
LaunchedMarch 2009August 2009Similar age
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-30 features external dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) whilst the Pentax P80 has dimensions of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-30 versus Pentax P80 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the E-30 and the P80.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and P80 is 60 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The visual here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the E-30 and P80.

As you can see, each of the cameras have the same MP but different sensor sizing. The E-30 has the larger sensor which should make getting shallower DOF easier.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography advice
Pentax P80 Portrait photography advice
59
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
27
manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography details
Pentax P80 Street photography details
72
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
55
lighter than average in class (125g)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-30
Sports photography with Pentax P80
51
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (750 per charge)
17
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000s)
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography info
Pentax P80 Travel photography info
49
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (750 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
62
lighter than average in class (125g)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
low MP (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography factors
Pentax P80 Landscape photography factors
52
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (750 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
32
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging highlights
Pentax P80 Vlogging highlights
18
no video shooting
28
fairly wide (28mm)
lighter than average in class (125g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.6)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic socket
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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax P80 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Pentax P80
 Olympus E-30Pentax Optio P80
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-30 Pentax Optio P80
Category Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2009-03-24 2009-08-05
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 64
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Largest aperture - f/2.6-5.8
Macro focus range - 10cm
Total lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1000s
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off -
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 gr (1.53 lb) 125 gr (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
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 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLM-1 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $1,299 $200