• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 35mm 855.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600

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Differences

Olympus E30 advantages over Sony A99

  • Less expensive
    $1299 vs $2800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 650 vs 500 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony A99 advantages over Olympus E30

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.97 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Better color depth
    25.0 vs 21.3 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,555 vs 530 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    13.9 vs 10.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1229k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.71x vs 0.51x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 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
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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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
Sony A99
Olympus E-520
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

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
Sony A99
Olympus E-620
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Olympus E-5

Olympus E30
Olympus E-5
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out
Sony A99
Olympus E-5
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compared to Nikon D800

Olympus E30
Nikon D800
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99
Nikon D800
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking
  • $1850
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compared to Canon 5D Mark III

Olympus E30
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony A99
Canon 5D Mark III
  • $1998
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2139
  • 35mm
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
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