Olympus E-5 vs Pentax K-30

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.

Photography Glossary

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.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-5 & Pentax K-30. The entire galleries are viewable at Olympus E-5 Gallery & Pentax K-30 Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.