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Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
21
Overall
30
Olympus FE-4030 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Olympus FE-4030
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 26-105mm (F2.6-5.9) lens
  • 146g - 93 x 56 x 22mm
  • Launched January 2010
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Revealed July 2013
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Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the FE-4030 (14MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is fairly close but the FE-4030 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The FE-4030 was released 4 years prior to the MX-1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before diving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the FE-4030 scores versus the MX-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus FE-4030 over the Pentax MX-1

 FE-4030 MX-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Olympus FE-4030

 MX-1 FE-4030 
RevealedJuly 2013January 2010Fresher by 42 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kSharper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus FE-4030 and Pentax MX-1

 FE-4030 MX-1 
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus FE-4030 features outside dimensions of 93mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 146 grams (0.32 lbs) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has dimensions of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the FE-4030 vs the MX-1.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FE-4030 and MX-1 is 95 and 84 respectively.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to see the gap in sensor sizing purely by looking through a spec sheet. The visual here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FE-4030 and MX-1.

As you can see, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FE-4030 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Olympus FE-4030 will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The older FE-4030 will be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Portrait photography advice
Pentax MX-1 Portrait photography advice
28
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
42
has manual focus
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Street photography features
Pentax MX-1 Street photography features
48
fixed screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
65
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
more heavy than competitors (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Sports photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography factors
35
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
43
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery pack (290 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Travel photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography highlights
65
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.6)
61
good battery pack (290 per charge)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (391g)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-4030 Landscape photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography factors
33
rather wide (26mm)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
55
has manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (290 shots)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.7")
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus FE-4030
Vlogging with Pentax MX-1
26
rather wide (26mm)
slow max aperture (f2.6)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic jack
33
quite wide (28mm)
fast maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (391 grams)
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Olympus FE-4030 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-4030 and Pentax MX-1
 Olympus FE-4030Pentax MX-1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus FE-4030 Pentax MX-1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2010-01-07 2013-07-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 64 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-105mm (4.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture f/2.6-5.9 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing range 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 4.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate - 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.80 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 146g (0.32 lbs) 391g (0.86 lbs)
Dimensions 93 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.3
DXO Low light rating not tested 208
Other
Battery life - 290 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at release $130 $400