• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Olympus E30 advantages over Sony DSLR-A550

  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/250 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sony DSLR-A550 advantages over Olympus E30

  • Less expensive
    $1050 vs $1299 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    807 vs 530 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.8 vs 10.4 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 950 vs 650 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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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 DSLR-A550
Olympus E-520
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Canon 50D

Olympus E30
Canon 50D
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
Sony DSLR-A550
Canon 50D
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

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 DSLR-A550
Olympus E-620
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony DSLR-A500

Olympus E30
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Top deck display
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A500
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive

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 DSLR-A550
Olympus E-5
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Top deck display
  • More cross-type AF points
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