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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus VR-340 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Olympus VR-340
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-240mm (F3.0-5.7) lens
  • 125g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Later Model is Pentax K-50
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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Olympus VR-340 and Pentax K-30, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Pentax. The resolution of the VR-340 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the VR-340 (1/2.3") and K-30 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The VR-340 was launched 9 months before the K-30 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus VR-340 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the VR-340 grades versus the K-30 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus VR-340 over the Pentax K-30

 VR-340 K-30 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Olympus VR-340

 K-30 VR-340 
AnnouncedOctober 2012January 2012Newer by 9 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Olympus VR-340 and Pentax K-30

 VR-340 K-30 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera often, you should think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus VR-340 has got physical measurements of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 125 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Analyze the Olympus VR-340 and Pentax K-30 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the VR-340 against the K-30.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the VR-340 and K-30 is 96 and 63 respectively.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by looking at specs. The pic below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the VR-340 and K-30.

All in all, both of the cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor dimensions. The VR-340 provides the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field harder. The more aged VR-340 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography details
34
decent MP (16MP)
includes face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Street photography info
Pentax K-30 Street photography info
63
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Olympus VR-340 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
44
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-30 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
no Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
60
weather proofing
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-30 Landscape photography factors
43
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus VR-340 Vlogging information
Pentax K-30 Vlogging information
33
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detect focus
lighter than competitors in class (125g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing external mic port
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Olympus VR-340 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus VR-340 and Pentax K-30
 Olympus VR-340Pentax K-30
General Information
Make Olympus Pentax
Model Olympus VR-340 Pentax K-30
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-01-10 2012-10-29
Body design 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
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 24-240mm (10.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.0-5.7 -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color 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
Min shutter speed 4s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed - 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.80 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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 sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Highest 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 Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
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 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
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model LI-50B D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch price $130 $525