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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30

Portability
56
Imaging
44
Features
56
Overall
48
Olympus E-3 front
 
Olympus E-30 front
Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30 Key Specs

Olympus E-3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 890g - 142 x 116 x 75mm
  • Revealed February 2008
  • Old Model is Olympus E-1
  • Renewed by Olympus E-5
Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Announced March 2009
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30 Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Olympus E-3 versus Olympus E-30, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are produced by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-3 (10MP) and the E-30 (12MP) is pretty well matched and they enjoy the exact same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-3 was introduced 13 months prior to the E-30 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the E-3 matches up vs the E-30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-3 over the Olympus E-30

 E-3 E-30 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Olympus E-3

 E-30 E-3 
AnnouncedMarch 2009February 2008More modern by 13 months
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-30

 E-3 E-30 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen resolution230k230kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-3 has got physical measurements of 142mm x 116mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 890 grams (1.96 lbs) while the Olympus E-30 has dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-3 versus Olympus E-30 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the E-3 versus the E-30.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-3 and E-30 is 56 and 60 respectively.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at specifications. The image here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the E-3 and E-30.

To sum up, both the cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Olympus E-30 to give greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged E-3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-3 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-30 Portrait photography highlights
56
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
59
focusing manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-3 Street photography information
Olympus E-30 Street photography information
69
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-3 Sports photography info
Olympus E-30 Sports photography info
57
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
51
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery life (750 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-3 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-30 as a Travel photography camera
55
weather sealing
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
49
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
missing Timelapse function
low battery life (750 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-3 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus E-30 Landscape photography highlights
56
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
screen is small (2.5")
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse function
52
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery life (750 shots)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-3 Vlogging details
Olympus E-30 Vlogging details
18
no video shooting
18
lack of video recording
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Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-3 and Olympus E-30
 Olympus E-3Olympus E-30
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-3 Olympus E-30
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2008-02-20 2009-03-24
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III TruePic III+
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4032 x 3024
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 45
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - HyperCrystal II LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 98%
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x 0.56x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 890 gr (1.96 lb) 695 gr (1.53 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 55
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 21.3
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 10.4
DXO Low light score 571 530
Other
Battery life - 750 photos
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - BLM-1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (12 or 2 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $670 $1,299