Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-30

Following is a comprehensive assessment of the Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-30, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-PL3 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the E-PL3 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The E-PL3 was revealed 13 months prior to the K-30 making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-PL3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a quick summation of how the E-PL3 matches up against the K-30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus PEN E-PL3 and Pentax K-30. The full galleries are viewable at Olympus E-PL3 Gallery and Pentax K-30 Gallery.

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-PL3 offers outside dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.5") having a weight of 313 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-PL3 vs Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the E-PL3 compared to the K-30.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the E-PL3 and K-30 is 88 and 63 respectively.

In many cases, its difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes just by checking out technical specs. The pic here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-PL3 and K-30.

As you have seen, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-PL3 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-30 will provide extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged E-PL3 will be behind in sensor innovation.