Olympus E-M10 III vs Pentax K-30
80 Imaging
55 Features
75 Overall
63


63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
Olympus E-M10 III vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 410g - 122 x 84 x 50mm
- Announced August 2017
- Succeeded the Olympus E-M10 II
- Refreshed by Olympus E-M10 IV
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost 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-M10 III vs Pentax K-30 Overview
On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-M10 III versus Pentax K-30, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-M10 III (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the E-M10 III (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

The E-M10 III was introduced 4 years later than the K-30 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-M10 III being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief view of how the E-M10 III grades vs the K-30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Pentax K-30 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III and Pentax K-30. The whole galleries are viewable at Olympus E-M10 III Gallery and Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-M10 III over the Pentax K-30
E-M10 III | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | August 2017 | ![]() | October 2012 | Fresher by 59 months |
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 921k | Clearer display (+119k dot) |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus E-M10 III
K-30 | E-M10 III |
---|
Common features in the Olympus E-M10 III and Pentax K-30
E-M10 III | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Olympus E-M10 III vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-M10 III comes with exterior measurements of 122mm x 84mm x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") having a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
See the Olympus E-M10 III versus Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-M10 III against the K-30.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-M10 III and K-30 is 80 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here should give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-M10 III and K-30.
As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same megapixels but different sensor sizing. The E-M10 III includes the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallower depth of field tougher. The younger E-M10 III should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-M10 III vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-M10 III vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III | Pentax K-30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Olympus | Pentax |
Model | Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III | Pentax K-30 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2017-08-31 | 2012-10-29 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VIII | Prime M |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.4 x 13mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 226.2mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 | 3:2 |
Maximum resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Maximum boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Lowest boosted ISO | 100 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 121 | 11 |
Cross focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 107 | 151 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,040k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.62x | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/6000 secs |
Maximum quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 8.6 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 5.80 m (at ISO 100) | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash modes | Auto, redeye, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, redeye slow sync, fill-in, manual, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/250 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | 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 | 3840x2160 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 410 gr (0.90 pounds) | 650 gr (1.43 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 122 x 84 x 50mm (4.8" x 3.3" x 2.0") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.0 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1129 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 photos | 410 photos |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | BLS-50 | D-LI109,4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I/II supported) | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail pricing | $650 | $525 |