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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II

Portability
60
Imaging
47
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Olympus OM-D E-M5 II front
Portability
80
Imaging
54
Features
84
Overall
66

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II Key Specs

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
  • Revealed March 2009
Olympus E-M5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 469g - 124 x 85 x 45mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Replaced the Olympus E-M5
  • Replacement is Olympus E-M5 III
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II Overview

The following is a extended review of the Olympus E-30 versus Olympus E-M5 II, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Advanced Mirrorless and they are both produced by Olympus. There is a significant difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and E-M5 II (16MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-30 was announced 6 years before the E-M5 II which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-M5 II being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the E-30 matches up versus the E-M5 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Olympus E-M5 II

 E-30 E-M5 II 

Reasons to pick Olympus E-M5 II over the Olympus E-30

 E-M5 II E-30 
LaunchedFebruary 2015March 2009Newer by 71 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-M5 II

 E-30 E-M5 II 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-30 offers external measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") with a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Olympus E-M5 II has sizing of 124mm x 85mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") having a weight of 469 grams (1.03 lbs).

Check out the Olympus E-30 versus Olympus E-M5 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the E-30 against the E-M5 II.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and E-M5 II is 60 and 80 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to see the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading a spec sheet. The image here should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and E-M5 II.

Clearly, both cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus E-M5 II to deliver extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged E-30 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography details
Olympus E-M5 II Portrait photography details
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
72
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-M5 II as a Street photography camera
72
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
82
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
features touch focus
weather proof
above average ISO range (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography features
Olympus E-M5 II Sports photography features
52
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery (750 shots)
65
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proof
terrible battery pack (310 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography factors
Olympus E-M5 II Travel photography factors
49
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery (750 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
74
weather proof
features touch focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (310 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography details
Olympus E-M5 II Landscape photography details
52
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery (750 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
74
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proof
terrible battery pack (310 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging advice
Olympus E-M5 II Vlogging advice
18
can't record video
82
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone socket
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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-M5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-M5 II
 Olympus E-30Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
General Information
Company Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-30 Olympus OM-D E-M5 II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-03-24 2015-02-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ TruePic VII
Sensor type CMOS MOS
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 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 81
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360k dots
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.74x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed - 1/16000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto, redeye, fill, off, redeye slow sync, slow sync, 2nd-curtain slow sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695g (1.53 lb) 469g (1.03 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 124 x 85 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 73
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 23.0
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 12.4
DXO Low light score 530 896
Other
Battery life 750 photographs 310 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-1 BLN-1
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $1,299 $699