Clicky

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed October 2012
  • New Model is Pentax K-50
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Olympus E-5 and Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the E-5 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The E-5 was manufactured 21 months before the K-30 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-5 matches up vs the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Pentax K-30

 E-5 K-30 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus E-5

 K-30 E-5 
RevealedOctober 2012February 2011More modern by 21 months
Screen resolution921k920kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Pentax K-30

 E-5 K-30 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-5 features physical measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-5 and Pentax K-30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the E-5 and the K-30.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the E-5 and K-30 is 58 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking a spec sheet. The picture underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the E-5 and K-30.

As you can see, both the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-5 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-30 will give extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged E-5 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
74
manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography info
Pentax K-30 Street photography info
71
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography features
Pentax K-30 Sports photography features
59
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-5
Travel photography with Pentax K-30
56
environment proof
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
60
environment proof
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery pack (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
has double storage slots
resolution not great (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
73
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
bad battery pack (410 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
64
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
includes mic port
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Pentax K-30
 Olympus E-5Pentax K-30
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus E-5 Pentax K-30
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-02-03 2012-10-29
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic V+ Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology HyperCrystal transmissive LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800 gr (1.76 pounds) 650 gr (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 79
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 13.0
DXO Low light score 519 1129
Other
Battery life 870 photographs 410 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Dual One
Cost at release $1,700 $525