Clicky

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30

Portability
55
Imaging
51
Features
59
Overall
54
Nikon D300 front
 
Olympus E-30 front
Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30 Key Specs

Nikon D300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 925g - 147 x 114 x 74mm
  • Launched March 2008
  • Succeeded the Nikon D200
  • Later Model is Nikon D300S
Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Launched March 2009
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Nikon D300 versus Olympus E-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by companies Nikon and Olympus. The sensor resolution of the D300 (12MP) and the E-30 (12MP) is very well matched but the D300 (APS-C) and E-30 (Four Thirds) offer totally different sensor sizes.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The D300 was announced 12 months prior to the E-30 and they are both of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the D300 matches up vs the E-30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D300 over the Olympus E-30

 D300 E-30 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Nikon D300

 E-30 D300 
LaunchedMarch 2009March 2008Fresher by 12 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D300 and Olympus E-30

 D300 E-30 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Nikon D300 has got external measurements of 147mm x 114mm x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") with a weight of 925 grams (2.04 lbs) while the Olympus E-30 has specifications of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs).

See the Nikon D300 versus Olympus E-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the D300 against the E-30.

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the D300 and E-30 is 55 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to visualise the difference between sensor sizing merely by checking specs. The visual below might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the D300 and E-30.

All in all, both of these cameras feature the identical resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The D300 contains the larger sensor which will make getting shallow DOF less difficult. The older D300 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D300 Portrait photography factors
Olympus E-30 Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
59
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Street Comparison

Nikon D300 Street photography details
Olympus E-30 Street photography details
56
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
72
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Nikon D300 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-30 Sports photography advice
56
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
51
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (750 shots)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Nikon D300 Travel photography info
Olympus E-30 Travel photography info
56
better than average battery pack (1,000 shots)
weather proofing
built-in flash
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
49
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
no Time Lapse mode
not so great battery life (750 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Nikon D300 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-30 Landscape photography info
64
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
better than average battery pack (1,000 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
52
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (750 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D300 Vlogging information
Olympus E-30 Vlogging information
9
no video shooting
18
lack of video recording
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Nikon D300 vs Olympus E-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D300 and Olympus E-30
 Nikon D300Olympus E-30
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D300 Olympus E-30
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-03-12 2009-03-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed TruePic III+
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 2848 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 51 11
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 309 45
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 922 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle HyperCrystal II LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.63x 0.56x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 6.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 925g (2.04 pounds) 695g (1.53 pounds)
Physical dimensions 147 x 114 x 74mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 2.9") 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 67 55
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 21.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.0 10.4
DXO Low light rating 679 530
Other
Battery life 1000 shots 750 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e BLM-1
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $1,100 $1,299