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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
67
Imaging
41
Features
31
Overall
37
Olympus E-300 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Olympus E-300
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Push to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 624g - 147 x 85 x 64mm
  • Introduced January 2005
  • Additionally referred to as EVOLT E-300
  • Renewed by Olympus E-330
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Olympus E-300 and Pentax K-3, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the E-300 (8MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the E-300 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The E-300 was released 10 years earlier than the K-3 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting right into a thorough comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the E-300 grades vs the K-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-300 over the Pentax K-3

 E-300 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus E-300

 K-3 E-300 
LaunchedApril 2014January 2005More recent by 112 months
Display dimensions3.2"1.8"Larger display (+1.4")
Display resolution1037k134kSharper display (+903k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-300 and Pentax K-3

 E-300 K-3 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-300 has got exterior measurements of 147mm x 85mm x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") and a weight of 624 grams (1.38 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-300 and Pentax K-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the E-300 and the K-3.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-300 and K-3 is 67 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading through technical specs. The graphic here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-300 and K-3.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The E-300 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-3 will give you greater detail as a result of its extra 16 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images more aggressively. The older E-300 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-300 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography highlights
48
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
79
focusing manually
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-300 Street photography details
Pentax K-3 Street photography details
51
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
maximum ISO low (400)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-300 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Sports photography highlights
37
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
doesn't have liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-300 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
45
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (8MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
60
environment proof
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery (560 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-300
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
43
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (1.8")
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (8 megapixels)
maximum ISO low (400)
does not have Timelapse function
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
low battery (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-300 Vlogging information
Pentax K-3 Vlogging information
9
no video recording
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Olympus E-300 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-300 and Pentax K-3
 Olympus E-300Pentax K-3
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-300 Pentax K-3
Otherwise known as EVOLT E-300 -
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2005-01-10 2014-04-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime III
Sensor type CCD 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 8 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Maximum resolution 3264 x 2448 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 400 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 1600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 3 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 1.8" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 134 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range - 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 624 grams (1.38 pounds) 800 grams (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 147 x 85 x 64mm (5.8" x 3.3" x 2.5") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 photos
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 Dual
Launch pricing $800 $639