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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500

Portability
60
Imaging
47
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Olympus E-500 front
Portability
70
Imaging
42
Features
34
Overall
38

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 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
  • Introduced March 2009
Olympus E-500
(Full Review)
  • 8MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 400 (Push to 1600)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 479g - 130 x 95 x 66mm
  • Introduced October 2005
  • Additionally referred to as EVOLT E-500
  • Renewed by Olympus E-510
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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Olympus E-30 versus Olympus E-500, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras and both of them are sold by Olympus. There is a substantial difference between the resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and E-500 (8MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-30 was launched 3 years after the E-500 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the E-30 matches up against the E-500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Olympus E-500

 E-30 E-500 
IntroducedMarch 2009October 2005Newer by 42 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k215kSharper display (+15k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-500 over the Olympus E-30

 E-500 E-30 

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-500

 E-30 E-500 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 comes with outside 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) while the Olympus E-500 has measurements of 130mm x 95mm x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 479 grams (1.06 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-30 versus Olympus E-500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the E-30 against the E-500.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and E-500 is 60 and 70 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, its difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions just by going over a spec sheet. The picture here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and E-500.

Clearly, both of the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Olympus E-30 to offer extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images a little more aggressively. The younger E-30 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-500 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
49
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no liveview feature
sensor resolution low (8MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography advice
Olympus E-500 Street photography advice
72
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
57
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (479g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
maximum ISO low (400)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography highlights
Olympus E-500 Sports photography highlights
52
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
low battery power (750 shots)
37
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus E-500 as a Travel photography camera
49
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery power (750 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
52
lighter than competition in class (479g)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (8MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-30
Landscape photography with Olympus E-500
52
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
low battery power (750 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
43
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (8MP)
maximum ISO low (400)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging factors
Olympus E-500 Vlogging factors
18
can't record video
9
no video
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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-500
 Olympus E-30Olympus E-500
General Information
Brand Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-30 Olympus E-500
Also called as - EVOLT E-500
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-03-24 2005-10-21
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
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 12MP 8MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 3264 x 2448
Max native ISO 3200 400
Max boosted ISO - 1600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 3
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 45 45
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 215k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.45x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto, Auto FP, Manual, Red-Eye
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 grams (1.53 lb) 479 grams (1.06 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 130 x 95 x 66mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 530 not tested
Other
Battery life 750 pictures -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $1,299 $600