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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Olympus E-5 front
Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5 Key Specs

Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Announced March 2009
Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Announced February 2011
  • Replaced the Olympus E-3
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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Olympus E-30 versus Olympus E-5, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are built by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the E-5 (12MP) is fairly well matched and both cameras boast the same sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-30 was brought out 22 months earlier than the E-5 making them a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-30 grades versus the E-5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Olympus E-5

 E-30 E-5 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Olympus E-30

 E-5 E-30 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011March 2009More recent by 22 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution920k230kCrisper display (+690k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-5

 E-30 E-5 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 enjoys external measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") along with a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Olympus E-5 has measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-30 versus Olympus E-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the E-30 against the E-5.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the E-30 and E-5 is 60 and 58 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking technical specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-30 and E-5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same exact megapixels so you can expect similar quality of pictures however you might want to factor the launch date of the products into consideration. The older E-30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography highlights
Olympus E-5 Portrait photography highlights
59
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
60
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography factors
Olympus E-5 Street photography factors
72
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
71
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography details
Olympus E-5 Sports photography details
51
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery power (750 CIPA)
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography advice
Olympus E-5 Travel photography advice
49
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery power (750 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
56
environment proofing
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
lack of Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography info
Olympus E-5 Landscape photography info
52
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery power (750 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging advice
Olympus E-5 Vlogging advice
18
lack of video recording
64
selfie friendly display
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
comes with microphone port
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-5
 Olympus E-30Olympus E-5
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model type Olympus E-30 Olympus E-5
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-03-24 2011-02-03
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ TruePic V+
Sensor type CMOS 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 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4032 x 3024
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount 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 sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech HyperCrystal II LCD HyperCrystal transmissive LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.58x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 18.00 m (at ISO 200)
Flash settings Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695 gr (1.53 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 56
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 21.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 10.5
DXO Low light rating 530 519
Other
Battery life 750 photos 870 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-1 BLM-5
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One Two
Launch pricing $1,299 $1,700