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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
48
Overall
43
Olympus Stylus SP-100 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus SP-100
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1200mm (F2.9-6.5) lens
  • 594g - 122 x 91 x 133mm
  • Introduced January 2014
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
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-50
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Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

The following is a thorough review of the Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SP-100 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the SP-100 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.

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The SP-100 was launched 16 months after the K-30 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus SP-100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the SP-100 matches up vs the K-30 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-100 over the Pentax K-30

 SP-100 K-30 
IntroducedJanuary 2014October 2012Newer by 16 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus SP-100

 K-30 SP-100 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-100 and Pentax K-30

 SP-100 K-30 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus SP-100 comes with physical measurements of 122mm x 91mm x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") having a weight of 594 grams (1.31 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).

Compare the Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SP-100 vs the K-30.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SP-100 and K-30 is 63 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by going through technical specs. The pic here will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SP-100 and K-30.

As you can tell, the two cameras provide the same MP albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The SP-100 contains the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallower DOF more challenging. The younger SP-100 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography info
44
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus SP-100
Street photography with Pentax K-30
42
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
heavier than competition (594g)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus SP-100
Sports photography with Pentax K-30
53
incredible zoom range (24-1200mm 50.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-100 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
53
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (1200mm)
no Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (594 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.9)
60
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus SP-100 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
47
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.9)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-100 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
29
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external mic socket
slow max aperture (f2.9)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition (594g)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic support
Photography Glossary

Olympus SP-100 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-100 and Pentax K-30
 Olympus Stylus SP-100Pentax K-30
General Information
Company Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus SP-100 Pentax K-30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-01-29 2012-10-29
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime M
Sensor type BSI-CMOS 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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
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 24-1200mm (50.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.9-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 920 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 30s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1700s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 7.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Fill-in, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p), 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Optional None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 594g (1.31 pounds) 650g (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 122 x 91 x 133mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 5.2") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 330 pictures 410 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-92B D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 secs, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $400 $525