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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30

Portability
59
Imaging
38
Features
36
Overall
37
Olympus E-1 front
 
Olympus E-30 front
Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30 Key Specs

Olympus E-1
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 1.8" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 735g - 141 x 104 x 81mm
  • Introduced November 2003
  • Newer Model is Olympus E-3
Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Launched March 2009
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Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-30, one is a Pro DSLR and the other is a Advanced DSLR and both are created by Olympus. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-1 (5MP) and E-30 (12MP) but they possess the same exact sensor dimensions (Four Thirds).

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The E-1 was revealed 6 years earlier than the E-30 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-1 being a Large SLR camera and the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a complete comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the E-1 matches up vs the E-30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-1 over the Olympus E-30

 E-1 E-30 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Olympus E-1

 E-30 E-1 
LaunchedMarch 2009November 2003More modern by 64 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing2.7"1.8"Larger display (+0.9")
Display resolution230k134kCrisper display (+96k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-30

 E-1 E-30 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-1 comes with physical dimensions of 141mm x 104mm x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") with a weight of 735 grams (1.62 lbs) while the Olympus E-30 has proportions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") and a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-1 versus Olympus E-30 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the E-1 against the E-30.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-1 and E-30 is 59 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizes only by going over technical specs. The picture below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-1 and E-30.

As you can tell, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus E-30 to deliver extra detail because of its extra 7 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged E-1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-1 Portrait photography information
Olympus E-30 Portrait photography information
46
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
59
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-1 Street photography details
Olympus E-30 Street photography details
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
lighter than others in class (735 grams)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
72
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-1 Sports photography factors
Olympus E-30 Sports photography factors
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
51
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has phase detect AF
max fps low (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (750 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-1 Travel photography highlights
Olympus E-30 Travel photography highlights
47
lighter than others in class (735 grams)
weather proof
no Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (5MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
49
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (750 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-1 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-30 Landscape photography details
46
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
screen is small (1.8 inch)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low megapixels (5MP)
no Time Lapse mode
52
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
small screen (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery pack (750 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-1 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-30 as a Vlogging camera
9
no video
18
no video
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-1 vs Olympus E-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-1 and Olympus E-30
 Olympus E-1Olympus E-30
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-1 Olympus E-30
Type Pro DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2003-11-29 2009-03-24
Body design Large SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - TruePic III+
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 5MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 2560 x 1920 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 3 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 45
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 1.8" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 134k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - HyperCrystal II LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 98 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.48x 0.56x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/180 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 735 gr (1.62 pounds) 695 gr (1.53 pounds)
Dimensions 141 x 104 x 81mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.2") 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 55
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.3
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.4
DXO Low light score not tested 530
Other
Battery life - 750 shots
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLM-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $1,700 $1,299