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Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30

Portability
60
Imaging
52
Features
52
Overall
52
Nikon D90 front
 
Olympus E-30 front
Portability
60
Imaging
47
Features
54
Overall
49

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 Key Specs

Nikon D90
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 103 x 77mm
  • Launched October 2008
  • Superseded the Nikon D80
  • Updated by Nikon D7000
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
  • Introduced March 2009
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Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30, both Advanced DSLR cameras by competitors Nikon and Olympus. The resolution of the D90 (12MP) and the E-30 (12MP) is fairly close but the D90 (APS-C) and E-30 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The D90 was unveiled 5 months prior to the E-30 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the D90 matches up vs the E-30 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon D90 over the Olympus E-30

 D90 E-30 
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kClearer display (+690k dot)

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Nikon D90

 E-30 D90 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D90 and Olympus E-30

 D90 E-30 
IntroducedOctober 2008March 2009Same age
Manually focus Very precise focus
Touch display Absent Touch display

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Nikon D90 enjoys outer dimensions of 132mm x 103mm x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") along with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs) while the Olympus E-30 has proportions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the D90 vs the E-30.

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the D90 and E-30 is 60 and 60 respectively.

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by researching technical specs. The photograph below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the D90 and E-30.

As you can tell, both cameras feature the identical MP but not the same sensor measurements. The D90 comes with the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field less difficult.

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 sensor size comparison

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D90 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-30 Portrait photography highlights
63
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-30 as a Street photography camera
54
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon D90 Sports photography advice
Olympus E-30 Sports photography advice
46
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.5 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
52
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (750 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D90 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-30 as a Travel photography camera
44
flash built-in
missing Timelapse function
low MP (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
49
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (750 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D90 Landscape photography advice
Olympus E-30 Landscape photography advice
58
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
52
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.7")
MP count low (12MP)
not so great battery pack (750 shots)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D90 Vlogging information
Olympus E-30 Vlogging information
21
supports face detection focus
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone socket
18
lack of video recording
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Nikon D90 vs Olympus E-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D90 and Olympus E-30
 Nikon D90Olympus E-30
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Olympus
Model type Nikon D90 Olympus E-30
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Launched 2008-10-13 2009-03-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - TruePic III+
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 23.6 x 15.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 372.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 2848 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
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 11 11
Lens
Lens support Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 309 45
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech Super Density TFT color LCD with wide-viewing angle HyperCrystal II LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.56x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.5 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/200 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 424 (24 fps), 320 x 216 (24 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected 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 703 gr (1.55 lb) 695 gr (1.53 lb)
Physical dimensions 132 x 103 x 77mm (5.2" x 4.1" x 3.0") 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 73 55
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 21.3
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 10.4
DXO Low light rating 977 530
Other
Battery life 850 photos 750 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL3e BLM-1
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $1,199 $1,299