Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-30
71 Imaging
53 Features
85 Overall
65
63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 497g - 130 x 94 x 63mm
- Released October 2013
- Newer Model is Olympus E-M1 II
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Launched October 2012
- Successor is Pentax K-50
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-30 Overview
In this article, we will be looking at the Olympus E-M1 versus Pentax K-30, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the E-M1 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the E-M1 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) use different sensor size.
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe E-M1 was announced 13 months after the K-30 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-M1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-M1 matches up against the K-30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-30 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Pentax K-30. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-M1 Gallery and Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M1 over the Pentax K-30
E-M1 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | October 2013 | October 2012 | More modern by 13 months | |
Screen type | Tilting | Fixed | Tilting screen | |
Screen resolution | 1037k | 921k | Crisper screen (+116k dot) | |
Touch screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus E-M1
K-30 | E-M1 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M1 and Pentax K-30
E-M1 | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Very precise focus | |||
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen size | |
Selfie screen | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-M1 comes with outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") having a weight of 497 grams (1.10 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-M1 versus Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the E-M1 against the K-30.
Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M1 and K-30 is 71 and 63 respectively.
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison
Typically, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out technical specs. The picture below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M1 and K-30.
As you have seen, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The E-M1 features the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field more challenging. The younger E-M1 provides a benefit in sensor technology.
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Olympus E-M1 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax K-30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus OM-D E-M1 | Pentax K-30 |
Class | Pro Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Released | 2013-10-28 | 2012-10-29 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePIC VII | Prime M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 107 | 151 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,037 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Display tech | - | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.74x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/6000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 10.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain), Manual | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/320 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 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) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 497 grams (1.10 pounds) | 650 grams (1.43 pounds) |
Dimensions | 130 x 94 x 63mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.5") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 73 | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.0 | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.7 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 757 | 1129 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 images | 410 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | D-LI109,4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Cost at launch | $799 | $525 |