• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 6400

Buy From

Differences

Olympus E30 advantages over Olympus E-5

  • Less expensive
    $1299 vs $1700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lighter weight
    655g vs 892g
    Lighter weight

Olympus E-5 advantages over Olympus E30

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 870 vs 650 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.58x vs 0.51x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-520

Olympus E30
Olympus E-520
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Top deck display
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
Olympus E-5
Olympus E-520
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Canon 50D

Olympus E30
Canon 50D
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-5
Canon 50D
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Olympus E-620

Olympus E30
Olympus E-620
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Top deck display
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
Olympus E-5
Olympus E-620
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Top deck display
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Olympus E30
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Top deck display
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-5
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Top deck display
  • More cross-type AF points
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Canon T3i

Olympus E30
Canon T3i
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Olympus E-5
Canon T3i
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Compare Other Cameras?