Olympus E-PM2 vs Pentax K-30
89 Imaging
52 Features
63 Overall
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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
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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.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe 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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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
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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 |