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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
90
Imaging
40
Features
46
Overall
42
Olympus Tough TG-3 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus TG-3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 247g - 112 x 66 x 31mm
  • Revealed March 2014
  • Later Model is Olympus TG-4
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced October 2012
  • Later Model is Pentax K-50
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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus TG-3 versus Pentax K-30, one being a Waterproof and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The image resolution of the TG-3 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is fairly similar but the TG-3 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The TG-3 was brought out 18 months later than the K-30 making them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the TG-3 scores vs the K-30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-3 over the Pentax K-30

 TG-3 K-30 
IntroducedMarch 2014October 2012Fresher by 18 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus TG-3

 K-30 TG-3 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-3 and Pentax K-30

 TG-3 K-30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-3 comes with external dimensions of 112mm x 66mm x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") having a weight of 247 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has measurements 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-3 versus Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the TG-3 against the K-30.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-3 and K-30 is 90 and 63 respectively.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The visual here will provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TG-3 and K-30.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide the same resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The TG-3 offers the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging. The more recent TG-3 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
37
good megapixels (16MP)
comes with face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Street photography camera
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
more heavy than average in class (247 grams)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Sports photography info
Pentax K-30 Sports photography info
47
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery pack (330 CIPA)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus TG-3
Travel photography with Pentax K-30
74
great battery pack (330 per charge)
weather proof
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
more heavy than average in class (247g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
60
weather sealing
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery life (410 per charge)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-3 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography features
56
quite wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (16MP)
weather proof
great battery pack (330 per charge)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
73
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
low battery life (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-30 as a Vlogging camera
34
quite wide (25mm)
good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than average in class (247 grams)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic port
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Olympus TG-3 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-3 and Pentax K-30
 Olympus Tough TG-3Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus Tough TG-3 Pentax K-30
Class Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2014-03-31 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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT-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
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range - 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, redeye reduction, fill-in, off, LED Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 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
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 247 gr (0.54 pounds) 650 gr (1.43 pounds)
Physical dimensions 112 x 66 x 31mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.2") 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 330 images 410 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $350 $525