Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500
60 Imaging
46 Features
54 Overall
49
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70 Imaging
41 Features
34 Overall
38
Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 Key Specs
(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
(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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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Olympus E-30 & Olympus E-500. The complete galleries are viewable at Olympus E-30 Gallery & Olympus E-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Olympus E-500
E-30 | E-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | March 2009 | ![]() | October 2005 | Newer by 42 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display sizing | 2.7" | ![]() | 2.5" | Larger display (+0.2") |
Display resolution | 230k | ![]() | 215k | Sharper 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.
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.
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Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and E-500 is 60 and 70 respectively.
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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.
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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-500 Specifications
Olympus E-30 | Olympus 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 |