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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30

Portability
69
Imaging
37
Features
35
Overall
36
Olympus SP-800 UZ front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus SP-800 UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 3200 (Increase to 1000)
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-840mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 455g - 110 x 90 x 91mm
  • Launched February 2010
  • Successor is Olympus SP-810 UZ
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed October 2012
  • New Model is Pentax K-50
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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus SP-800 UZ versus Pentax K-30, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SP-800 UZ (14MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is pretty close but the SP-800 UZ (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

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The SP-800 UZ was unveiled 3 years earlier than the K-30 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-800 UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a full comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SP-800 UZ grades against the K-30 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-800 UZ over the Pentax K-30

 SP-800 UZ K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus SP-800 UZ

 K-30 SP-800 UZ 
RevealedOctober 2012February 2010Newer by 33 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-800 UZ and Pentax K-30

 SP-800 UZ K-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-800 UZ has external measurements of 110mm x 90mm x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") and a weight of 455 grams (1.00 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Look at the Olympus SP-800 UZ versus Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SP-800 UZ against the K-30.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SP-800 UZ and K-30 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions just by looking through specifications. The image below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-800 UZ and K-30.

Plainly, the two cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SP-800 UZ having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-30 will provide you with extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The more aged SP-800 UZ will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Portrait photography information
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography information
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
46
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Sports photography information
Pentax K-30 Sports photography information
47
incredible zoom range (28-840mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14MP)
provides tracking focus
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ Travel photography info
Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
61
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
great zoom (840mm)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
weather proof
good resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
bad battery (410 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
41
quite wide (28mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW support
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-800 UZ as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
24
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone port
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Olympus SP-800 UZ vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-800 UZ and Pentax K-30
 Olympus SP-800 UZPentax K-30
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SP-800 UZ Pentax K-30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-02-02 2012-10-29
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III Prime M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest boosted ISO 1000 25600
Lowest native ISO 64 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 143 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-840mm (30.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 12s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.10 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 455g (1.00 lb) 650g (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 110 x 90 x 91mm (4.3" x 3.5" x 3.6") 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 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID Li-50B D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $270 $525