Clicky

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90

Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60
Pentax K-30 front
 
Pentax Optio E90 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90 Key Specs

Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched October 2012
  • Updated by Pentax K-50
Pentax E90
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 32-95mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 145g - 102 x 59 x 25mm
  • Released January 2010
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90 Overview

Let's take a closer look at the Pentax K-30 and Pentax E90, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are sold by Pentax. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the K-30 (16MP) and E90 (10MP) and the K-30 (APS-C) and E90 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor size.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The K-30 was introduced 2 years after the E90 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Pentax E90 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the K-30 matches up against the E90 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Pentax E90

 K-30 E90 
ReleasedOctober 2012January 2010Newer by 34 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E90 over the Pentax K-30

 E90 K-30 

Common features in the Pentax K-30 and Pentax E90

 K-30 E90 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Pentax K-30 features exterior measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax E90 has sizing of 102mm x 59mm x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0") and a weight of 145 grams (0.32 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-30 and Pentax E90 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the K-30 versus the E90.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the K-30 and E90 is 63 and 94 respectively.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out technical specs. The image underneath might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the K-30 and E90.

As you can tell, each of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The K-30 with its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Pentax K-30 will provide more detail using its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger K-30 will have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-30 Portrait photography info
Pentax E90 Portrait photography info
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Pentax K-30 Street photography advice
Pentax E90 Street photography advice
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax E90 as a Sports photography camera
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
16
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Pentax K-30 Travel photography highlights
Pentax E90 Travel photography highlights
60
weather proof
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
bad battery life (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
50
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (32mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
Landscape photography with Pentax E90
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (32mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-30 Vlogging factors
Pentax E90 Vlogging factors
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external microphone port
22
wide angle not good (32mm)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Pentax K-30 vs Pentax E90 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-30 and Pentax E90
 Pentax K-30Pentax Optio E90
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Pentax
Model Pentax K-30 Pentax Optio E90
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-10-29 2010-01-25
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Prime M Prime
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4928 x 3264 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
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
Number of focus points 11 3
Cross focus points 9 -
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF2 fixed lens
Lens focal range - 32-95mm (3.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 6cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 921 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/6000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 6.0 frames per sec -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 3.50 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 650 grams (1.43 lb) 145 grams (0.32 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") 102 x 59 x 25mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 79 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 1129 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model D-LI109,4 x AA 2 x AA
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $525 $100