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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Pentax Q-S1 front
Portability
92
Imaging
38
Features
54
Overall
44

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 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 Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Announced March 2009
Pentax Q-S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 203g - 105 x 58 x 34mm
  • Launched August 2014
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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the Q-S1 (12MP) is fairly similar but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and Q-S1 (1/1.7") use different sensor dimensions.

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The E-30 was introduced 6 years earlier than the Q-S1 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax Q-S1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short overview of how the E-30 grades vs the Q-S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Pentax Q-S1

 E-30 Q-S1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax Q-S1 over the Olympus E-30

 Q-S1 E-30 
LaunchedAugust 2014March 2009Newer by 65 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Pentax Q-S1

 E-30 Q-S1 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 features 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) and the Pentax Q-S1 has measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 203 grams (0.45 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the E-30 against the Q-S1.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and Q-S1 is 60 and 92 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specs. The pic here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and Q-S1.

All in all, both of these cameras posses the exact same MP but different sensor dimensions. The E-30 contains the larger sensor which will make getting shallow DOF simpler. The more aged E-30 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-30
Portrait photography with Pentax Q-S1
59
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
46
you can focus manually
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-30
Street photography with Pentax Q-S1
72
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (203 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography details
Pentax Q-S1 Sports photography details
51
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
low battery life (750 per charge)
37
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography highlights
Pentax Q-S1 Travel photography highlights
49
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery life (750 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
60
lighter than competition (203g)
flash built-in
terrible battery (250 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q-S1 Landscape photography advice
52
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
low battery life (750 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/1.7")
terrible battery (250 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging information
Pentax Q-S1 Vlogging information
18
can't record video
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (203g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic port
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Olympus E-30 vs Pentax Q-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Pentax Q-S1
 Olympus E-30Pentax Q-S1
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-30 Pentax Q-S1
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2009-03-24 2014-08-04
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ Q Engine
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
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
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Number of lenses 45 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 4.8
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 4.90 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto, redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30,25, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30, 25, 24p), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24p)
Max 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 grams (1.53 pounds) 203 grams (0.45 pounds)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 105 x 58 x 34mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
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 250 shots
Type 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
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $1,299 $250