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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
44
Overall
41
Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus TG-850 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 21-105mm (F3.5-5.7) lens
  • 218g - 110 x 64 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2014
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
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-50
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Pentax K-30, former being a Waterproof while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the TG-850 iHS (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is very close but the TG-850 iHS (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) boast different sensor measurements.

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The TG-850 iHS was revealed 16 months later than the K-30 making them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-850 iHS being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the TG-850 iHS matches up versus the K-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus TG-850 iHS over the Pentax K-30

 TG-850 iHS K-30 
LaunchedJanuary 2014October 2012More recent by 16 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus TG-850 iHS

 K-30 TG-850 iHS 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-850 iHS and Pentax K-30

 TG-850 iHS K-30 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-850 iHS features physical measurements of 110mm x 64mm x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-850 iHS versus Pentax K-30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the TG-850 iHS against the K-30.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the TG-850 iHS and K-30 is 91 and 63 respectively.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the gap in sensor measurements just by looking through specs. The visual here will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-850 iHS and K-30.

All in all, each of the cameras have the same resolution but different sensor measurements. The TG-850 iHS provides the smaller sensor which should make achieving bokeh trickier. The fresher TG-850 iHS provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
35
good resolution (16 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
74
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Street photography with Pentax K-30
69
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather proofing
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Sports photography information
Pentax K-30 Sports photography information
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proofing
great battery life (330 shots)
no shutter priority
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-850 iHS
Travel photography with Pentax K-30
72
great battery life (330 shots)
weather proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (21mm)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
60
weather proofing
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery (410 per charge)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography factors
50
decently wide (21mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
weather proofing
great battery life (330 CIPA)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-850 iHS as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
33
decently wide (21mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external microphone jack
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Olympus TG-850 iHS vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-850 iHS and Pentax K-30
 Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHSPentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus Stylus Tough TG-850 iHS Pentax K-30
Class Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-01-29 2012-10-29
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic VII Prime M
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Full resolution 4616 x 3464 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
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 21-105mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.7 -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 1/2s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 7.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format H.264, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Yes 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 218 gr (0.48 lbs) 650 gr (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 110 x 64 x 28mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.1") 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 330 photographs 410 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 sec, 12 sec, Custom Self-Timer (1-30 sec start timer, 1-10 pictures, 1-3 sec interval)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $250 $525