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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3

Portability
79
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34
Olympus SP-610UZ front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Olympus SP-610UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-616mm (F3.3-5.7) lens
  • 405g - 107 x 73 x 73mm
  • Released January 2011
  • Earlier Model is Olympus SP-600 UZ
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-620 UZ
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Introduced April 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Olympus SP-610UZ and Pentax K-3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SP-610UZ (14MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the SP-610UZ (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The SP-610UZ was manufactured 4 years earlier than the K-3 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-610UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the SP-610UZ matches up vs the K-3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus SP-610UZ over the Pentax K-3

 SP-610UZ K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Olympus SP-610UZ

 K-3 SP-610UZ 
IntroducedApril 2014January 2011More modern by 39 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-610UZ and Pentax K-3

 SP-610UZ K-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus SP-610UZ provides outside measurements of 107mm x 73mm x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") with a weight of 405 grams (0.89 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus SP-610UZ and Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the SP-610UZ compared to the K-3.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-610UZ and K-3 is 79 and 59 respectively.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by looking at a spec sheet. The picture here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-610UZ and K-3.

Clearly, both of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SP-610UZ due to its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-3 will give you more detail due to its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged SP-610UZ is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
28
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
79
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
Street photography with Pentax K-3
50
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 Sports photography features
39
excellent zoom range (28-616mm 22.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
low battery pack (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Travel photography advice
Pentax K-3 Travel photography advice
61
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
great zoom (616mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
weather proof
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery pack (560 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-610UZ
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
40
pretty wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
low battery pack (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-610UZ Vlogging information
Pentax K-3 Vlogging information
26
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic jack
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Olympus SP-610UZ vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-610UZ and Pentax K-3
 Olympus SP-610UZPentax K-3
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-610UZ Pentax K-3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-01-06 2014-04-10
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 3200 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-616mm (22.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.7 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 405 grams (0.89 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 73 x 73mm (4.2" x 2.9" x 2.9") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 340 photos 560 photos
Style of battery AA Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One Dual
Pricing at release $299 $639