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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
42
Overall
43
Olympus E-510 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus E-510
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 490g - 136 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released November 2007
  • Also Known as EVOLT E-510
  • Older Model is Olympus E-500
  • Successor is Olympus E-520
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-50
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here is a complete comparison of the Olympus E-510 versus Pentax K-30, both Advanced DSLR cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the E-510 (10MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the E-510 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The E-510 was brought out 6 years earlier than the K-30 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the E-510 matches up against the K-30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-510 over the Pentax K-30

 E-510 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus E-510

 K-30 E-510 
ReleasedOctober 2012November 2007Fresher by 60 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-510 and Pentax K-30

 E-510 K-30 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus E-510 provides physical dimensions of 136mm x 92mm x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 490 grams (1.08 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has specifications 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-510 versus Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the E-510 vs the K-30.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-510 and K-30 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizing merely by going through a spec sheet. The photograph below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-510 and K-30.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-510 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-30 will provide extra detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older E-510 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-510 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
56
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-510 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Street photography highlights
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (490g)
screen does not articulate
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-510 Sports photography information
Pentax K-30 Sports photography information
52
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 frames per second)
low battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-510
Travel photography with Pentax K-30
52
lighter than competitors in class (490 grams)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
60
environment proof
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery pack (410 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-510
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
sensor resolution not great (10MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-510 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
9
can't record video
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
no microphone port
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Olympus E-510 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-510 and Pentax K-30
 Olympus E-510Pentax K-30
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus E-510 Pentax K-30
Also called as EVOLT E-510 -
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Released 2007-11-23 2012-10-29
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 3 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 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 None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 490g (1.08 pounds) 650g (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 136 x 92 x 68mm (5.4" x 3.6" x 2.7") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 79
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.0 13.0
DXO Low light rating 442 1129
Other
Battery life - 410 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $550 $525