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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1

Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
39
Overall
39
Olympus SZ-30MR front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Olympus SZ-30MR
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Introduced March 2011
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Pentax K-1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Olympus and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ-30MR (16MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the SZ-30MR (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) use totally different sensor size.

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The SZ-30MR was unveiled 6 years before the K-1 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus SZ-30MR being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ-30MR matches up versus the K-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-30MR over the Pentax K-1

 SZ-30MR K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Olympus SZ-30MR

 K-1 SZ-30MR 
RevealedFebruary 2016March 2011More modern by 60 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax K-1

 SZ-30MR K-1 
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SZ-30MR provides outer dimensions of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") accompanied by a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus SZ-30MR versus Pentax K-1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ-30MR versus the K-1.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ-30MR and K-1 is 89 and 55 respectively.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes only by reviewing specs. The image underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ-30MR and K-1.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ-30MR with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will offer more detail having an extra 20 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged SZ-30MR is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
34
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
85
has manual focus
resolution is great (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competition (226g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
great ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than average in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SZ-30MR
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
41
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (220 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is great (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (4.4 fps)
bad battery pack (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR Travel photography factors
Pentax K-1 Travel photography factors
65
lighter than competition (226g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery (220 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
53
weather sealing
resolution is great (36 megapixels)
bad battery pack (760 per charge)
more heavy than average in class (1,010g)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SZ-30MR as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
41
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery (220 CIPA)
missing Timelapse function
81
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is great (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
great ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
bad battery pack (760 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus SZ-30MR
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
34
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (226g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (1,010g)
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Olympus SZ-30MR vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SZ-30MR and Pentax K-1
 Olympus SZ-30MRPentax K-1
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus SZ-30MR Pentax K-1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-03-02 2016-02-17
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 3200 204800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1700 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps)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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 226 grams (0.50 lb) 1010 grams (2.23 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 220 shots 760 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Single Two
Retail pricing $279 $1,499