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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30

Portability
69
Imaging
38
Features
29
Overall
34
Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus SP-820UZ
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-896mm (F3.4-5.7) lens
  • 485g - 117 x 78 x 93mm
  • Revealed August 2012
  • Replaced the Olympus SP-820UZ
  • Newer Model is Olympus SP-820UZ
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase 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
  • Updated by Pentax K-50
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Olympus SP-820UZ versus Pentax K-30, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the SP-820UZ (14MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is very well matched but the SP-820UZ (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The SP-820UZ was unveiled 2 months before the K-30 so they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus SP-820UZ being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summary of how the SP-820UZ grades against the K-30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus SP-820UZ over the Pentax K-30

 SP-820UZ K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus SP-820UZ

 K-30 SP-820UZ 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax K-30

 SP-820UZ K-30 
LaunchedAugust 2012October 2012Similar age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus SP-820UZ offers physical dimensions of 117mm x 78mm x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") and a weight of 485 grams (1.07 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has dimensions 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 SP-820UZ versus Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SP-820UZ against the K-30.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SP-820UZ and K-30 is 69 and 63 respectively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing purely by looking at specs. The visual here may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the SP-820UZ and K-30.

All in all, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SP-820UZ using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-30 will give you greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively.

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
34
decent MP (14MP)
offers face detect focus
no manual focus
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Street photography information
Pentax K-30 Street photography information
37
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
more heavy than competitors (485g)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Sports photography information
Pentax K-30 Sports photography information
33
great zoom range (22-896mm 40.7 x zoom)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second very slow (6.0 fps)
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Travel photography camera
55
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (22mm)
long zoom (896mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competitors (485 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
60
environment proofing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus SP-820UZ
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
35
rather wide (22mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
decent MP (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
manual mode not available
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SP-820UZ Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
25
rather wide (22mm)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.4)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (485 grams)
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic support
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Olympus SP-820UZ vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus SP-820UZ and Pentax K-30
 Olympus Stylus SP-820UZPentax K-30
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ Pentax K-30
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-08-21 2012-10-29
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4288 x 3216 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 22-896mm (40.7x) -
Largest aperture f/3.4-5.7 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
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
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 15.00 m 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 120 fps), 320 x 180 (30, 240 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 data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 485g (1.07 lb) 650g (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 117 x 78 x 93mm (4.6" x 3.1" x 3.7") 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 - 410 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $299 $525