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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Released March 2009
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Revealed June 2011
  • Refreshed by Pentax Q10
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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is very close but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-30 was revealed 3 years prior to the Q and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the E-30 grades versus the Q in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Pentax Q

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

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Olympus E-30

 Q E-30 
RevealedJune 2011March 2009More recent by 27 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Pentax Q

 E-30 Q 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 has got external dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") and a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) while the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

See the Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the E-30 vs the Q.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-30 and Q is 60 and 93 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through technical specs. The photograph underneath might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and Q.

As you can tell, both the cameras provide the same MP but not the same sensor measurements. The E-30 provides the larger sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF easier. The older E-30 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax Q as a Portrait photography camera
59
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
45
manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography features
Pentax Q Street photography features
72
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (180 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q Sports photography highlights
51
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery pack (750 CIPA)
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
49
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (750 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
57
lighter than average (180g)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (230 shots)
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography factors
Pentax Q Landscape photography factors
52
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery pack (750 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
51
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (230 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging advice
Pentax Q Vlogging advice
18
can't record video
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (180g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing external mic support
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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Pentax Q
 Olympus E-30Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-30 Pentax Q
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-03-24 2011-06-23
Physical type Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Number of lenses 45 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology HyperCrystal II LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 5.60 m
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, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 grams (1.53 pounds) 180 grams (0.40 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 47
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 11.1
DXO Low light score 530 189
Other
Battery life 750 photographs 230 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-1 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $1,299 $695