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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
96
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33
Olympus VG-160 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus VG-160
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F2.8-6.5) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Released January 2012
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push 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
  • Renewed by Pentax K-50
Photography Glossary

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Olympus and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the VG-160 (14MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is fairly close but the VG-160 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The VG-160 was revealed 9 months earlier than the K-30 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VG-160 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the VG-160 scores against the K-30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VG-160 over the Pentax K-30

 VG-160 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus VG-160

 K-30 VG-160 
IntroducedOctober 2012January 2012Newer by 9 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VG-160 and Pentax K-30

 VG-160 K-30 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Olympus VG-160 has got physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Examine the Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the VG-160 and the K-30.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the VG-160 and K-30 is 96 and 63 respectively.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The image below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the VG-160 and K-30.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The VG-160 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-30 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged VG-160 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus VG-160
Portrait photography with Pentax K-30
34
MP count good (14MP)
features face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
74
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus VG-160
Street photography with Pentax K-30
56
lighter than competition in class (125g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Sports photography highlights
27
MP count good (14MP)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (165 shots)
no phase detect AF
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
low fps (6.0 frames per second)
low battery life (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Travel photography info
Pentax K-30 Travel photography info
66
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (26mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (165 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
weather proofing
good MP (16MP)
built-in flash
low battery life (410 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VG-160 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Landscape photography camera
37
fairly wide (26mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
terrible battery power (165 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
low battery life (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VG-160 Vlogging information
Pentax K-30 Vlogging information
30
fairly wide (26mm)
features face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (125 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic port
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
missing external mic support
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Olympus VG-160 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VG-160 and Pentax K-30
 Olympus VG-160Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus VG-160 Pentax K-30
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-01-10 2012-10-29
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime M
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-6.5 -
Macro focusing range 7cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type 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 rate - 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.80 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30,15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 180 (30,15 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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 125 gr (0.28 lbs) 650 gr (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 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 165 shots 410 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-70B D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $90 $525