Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
56
63 Imaging
56 Features
66 Overall
60
Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(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
(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
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month 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.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 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.
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus PEN E-PM2 & Pentax K-30. The whole galleries are available at Olympus E-PM2 Gallery & Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Pentax K-30
| E-PM2 | K-30 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Released | May 2013 | October 2012 | Fresher by 7 months | |
| Touch display | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus E-PM2
| K-30 | E-PM2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display resolution | 921k | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus E-PM2 and Pentax K-30
| E-PM2 | K-30 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manually focus | Very accurate focus | |||
| Display type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed display | |
| Display size | 3" | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneStreet Comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banSports Comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firmsTravel Comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD CardsLandscape Comparison
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideVlogging Comparison
Photography Glossary
Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
| Olympus PEN E-PM2 | Pentax 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 |