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Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30

Portability
78
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus SP-620 UZ front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus SP-620 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 435g - 110 x 74 x 74mm
  • Revealed January 2012
  • Superseded the Olympus SP-610UZ
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
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Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus SP-620 UZ and Pentax K-30, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SP-620 UZ (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the SP-620 UZ (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizes.

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The SP-620 UZ was brought out 9 months before the K-30 and they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SP-620 UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SP-620 UZ scores vs the K-30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-620 UZ over the Pentax K-30

 SP-620 UZ K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus SP-620 UZ

 K-30 SP-620 UZ 
ReleasedOctober 2012January 2012Fresher by 9 months
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-620 UZ and Pentax K-30

 SP-620 UZ K-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SP-620 UZ comes with outer dimensions of 110mm x 74mm x 74mm (4.3" x 2.9" x 2.9") along with a weight of 435 grams (0.96 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-620 UZ and Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the SP-620 UZ vs the K-30.

Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-620 UZ and K-30 is 78 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by looking at technical specs. The graphic here should give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-620 UZ and K-30.

As you can tell, both of those cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The SP-620 UZ includes the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF tougher. The older SP-620 UZ is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SP-620 UZ
Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
34
good resolution (16MP)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Olympus SP-620 UZ Street photography features
Pentax K-30 Street photography features
50
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-620 UZ Sports photography factors
Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
48
long zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery power (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-620 UZ as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
61
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (525mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
60
environment proof
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-620 UZ Landscape photography info
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography info
41
fairly wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-620 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
28
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focus
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic socket
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Olympus SP-620 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-620 UZ and Pentax K-30
 Olympus SP-620 UZPentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-620 UZ Pentax K-30
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-01-10 2012-10-29
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ Prime M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-525mm (21.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.8 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1500s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate - 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) 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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 435g (0.96 lb) 650g (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 110 x 74 x 74mm (4.3" x 2.9" x 2.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1129
Other
Battery life - 410 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $199 $525