Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-30
89 Imaging
39 Features
36 Overall
37


63 Imaging
57 Features
66 Overall
60
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 226g - 108 x 70 x 40mm
- Launched January 2013
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Revealed October 2012
- Refreshed by Pentax K-50

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Overview
In this article, we are analyzing the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Pentax K-30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ-16 iHS (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is very comparable but the SZ-16 iHS (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

The SZ-16 iHS was announced 3 months after the K-30 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-16 iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the SZ-16 iHS grades versus the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus SZ-16 iHS & Pentax K-30. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus SZ-16 iHS Gallery & Pentax K-30 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-16 iHS over the Pentax K-30
SZ-16 iHS | K-30 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus SZ-16 iHS
K-30 | SZ-16 iHS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Clearer display (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus SZ-16 iHS and Pentax K-30
SZ-16 iHS | K-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2013 | ![]() | October 2012 | Same age |
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Missing Touch friendly display |
Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison
If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus SZ-16 iHS has got exterior measurements of 108mm x 70mm x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") along with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).
See the Olympus SZ-16 iHS versus Pentax K-30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SZ-16 iHS compared to the K-30.

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ-16 iHS and K-30 is 89 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through specs. The image below will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ-16 iHS and K-30.
All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact resolution but not the same sensor dimensions. The SZ-16 iHS includes the smaller sensor which should make getting bokeh harder.

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SZ-16 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Specifications
Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Pentax K-30 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Pentax |
Model type | Olympus SZ-16 iHS | Pentax K-30 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2013-01-08 | 2012-10-29 |
Body design | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Prime M |
Sensor type | CMOS | 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 | 16MP | 16MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 3:2 |
Highest resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Highest boosted ISO | - | 25600 |
Lowest native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | - |
Total lenses | - | 151 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 460 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Highest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | - | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | - | 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 file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
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 | 226g (0.50 pounds) | 650g (1.43 pounds) |
Dimensions | 108 x 70 x 40mm (4.3" x 2.8" x 1.6") | 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 | 220 shots | 410 shots |
Battery format | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | 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 | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | One | One |
Retail pricing | $230 | $525 |