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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
63
Overall
57
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
66
Overall
61

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Released May 2013
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PM1
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost 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
  • New Model is Pentax K-50
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Olympus E-PM2 versus Pentax K-30, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the E-PM2 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is very well matched but the E-PM2 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-PM2 was announced 7 months later than the K-30 which means that they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-PM2 scores against the K-30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax K-30

 E-PM2 K-30 
ReleasedMay 2013October 2012Fresher by 7 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus E-PM2

 K-30 E-PM2 
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-30

 E-PM2 K-30 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-PM2 features exterior dimensions of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-PM2 versus Pentax K-30 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view physical size comparison of the E-PM2 vs the K-30.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-PM2 and K-30 is 89 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to visualise the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through technical specs. The graphic below should give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-PM2 and K-30.

As you can tell, both of the cameras come with the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The E-PM2 offers the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining bokeh trickier. The younger E-PM2 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography information
71
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
74
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-PM2
Street photography with Pentax K-30
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
good high ISO (25,600)
no moving screen
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography information
Pentax K-30 Sports photography information
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
has no phase detect AF
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
66
boasts touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
60
weather proof
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (410 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography info
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
missing Timelapse function
73
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-PM2
Vlogging with Pentax K-30
36
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
missing external microphone jack
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone socket
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Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-30
 Olympus PEN E-PM2Pentax K-30
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus PEN E-PM2 Pentax K-30
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-05-21 2012-10-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 35 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 269 gr (0.59 lb) 650 gr (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 72 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.2 13.0
DXO Low light score 932 1129
Other
Battery life 360 shots 410 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLS-5 D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $448 $525