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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
89
Imaging
37
Features
36
Overall
36
Olympus SZ-12 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-12
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Launched January 2012
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Renewed by Pentax K-50
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here, we will be reviewing the Olympus SZ-12 versus Pentax K-30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ-12 (14MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the SZ-12 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ-12 was released 9 months earlier than the K-30 which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus SZ-12 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SZ-12 scores versus the K-30 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-12 over the Pentax K-30

 SZ-12 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus SZ-12

 K-30 SZ-12 
LaunchedOctober 2012January 2012Newer by 9 months
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax K-30

 SZ-12 K-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus SZ-12 provides exterior dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") and a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Examine the Olympus SZ-12 versus Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ-12 versus the K-30.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ-12 and K-30 is 89 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions purely by seeing technical specs. The pic underneath may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ-12 and K-30.

As you have seen, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SZ-12 because of its smaller sensor will make getting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-30 will provide greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more aged SZ-12 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography factors
33
megapixel count good (14MP)
has face detect focusing
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Street photography details
Pentax K-30 Street photography details
60
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than average in class (226g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Sports photography highlights
40
amazing zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
low battery life (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Travel photography info
Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
65
lighter than average in class (226g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery life (220 shots)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
60
environment proof
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
bad battery life (410 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SZ-12
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
40
quite wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
lack of manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
low battery life (220 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse function
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
bad battery life (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-12 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-30 Vlogging advice
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average in class (226g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic port
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Olympus SZ-12 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-12 and Pentax K-30
 Olympus SZ-12Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus SZ-12 Pentax K-30
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-01-10 2012-10-29
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
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
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
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), 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 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 226 grams (0.50 pounds) 650 grams (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1129
Other
Battery life 220 photos 410 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $350 $525