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Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Olympus TG-310 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Olympus TG-310
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 96 x 63 x 23mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 2012
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Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus TG-310 and Pentax K-01, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the TG-310 (14MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the TG-310 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The TG-310 was brought out 17 months before the K-01 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-310 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go through a full comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the TG-310 matches up versus the K-01 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-310 over the Pentax K-01

 TG-310 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Olympus TG-310

 K-01 TG-310 
AnnouncedMay 2012January 2011More modern by 17 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-310 and Pentax K-01

 TG-310 K-01 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus TG-310 has got external dimensions of 96mm x 63mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-310 and Pentax K-01 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the TG-310 compared to the K-01.

Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-310 and K-01 is 94 and 76 respectively.

Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by going through a spec sheet. The pic below should offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-310 and K-01.

As you can see, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The TG-310 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-01 will produce greater detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged TG-310 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography details
33
resolution is good (14MP)
supports face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-310
Street photography with Pentax K-01
66
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
lighter than competition in class (155 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
heavier than competition (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-01 Sports photography factors
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
low battery pack (150 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
better than average battery power (540 CIPA)
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-01 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than competition in class (155 grams)
weather sealing
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
low battery pack (150 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
65
better than average battery power (540 CIPA)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
heavier than competition (561 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-310 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
39
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
weather sealing
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
low battery pack (150 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (540 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-310
Vlogging with Pentax K-01
32
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (155 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.9)
does not posses selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition (561g)
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Olympus TG-310 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-310 and Pentax K-01
 Olympus TG-310Pentax K-01
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus TG-310 Pentax K-01
Type Waterproof Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-01-06 2012-05-30
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CCD 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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4288 x 3216 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 81
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Highest aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.20 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 grams (0.34 pounds) 561 grams (1.24 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 63 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 150 shots 540 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $0 $899