Clicky

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1

Portability
60
Imaging
47
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Olympus PEN E-P1 front
Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1 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
  • Revealed March 2009
Olympus E-P1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Replacement is Olympus E-P2
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1 Overview

Below is a in-depth review of the Olympus E-30 versus Olympus E-P1, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are sold by Olympus. The sensor resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the E-P1 (12MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (Four Thirds).

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

The E-30 was unveiled 4 months before the E-P1 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-P1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick view of how the E-30 matches up versus the E-P1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Olympus E-P1

 E-30 E-P1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-P1 over the Olympus E-30

 E-P1 E-30 
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-P1

 E-30 E-P1 
RevealedMarch 2009July 2009Same generation
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-30 comes with physical dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") with a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) while the Olympus E-P1 has dimensions of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-30 versus Olympus E-P1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the E-30 compared to the E-P1.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and E-P1 is 60 and 86 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through technical specs. The visual below should give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and E-P1.

As you have seen, each of the cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of images although you have to take the release date of the cameras into account.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography info
Olympus E-P1 Portrait photography info
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-P1 as a Street photography camera
72
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-30
Sports photography with Olympus E-P1
52
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery power (750 per charge)
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography information
Olympus E-P1 Travel photography information
49
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery power (750 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
43
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-30
Landscape photography with Olympus E-P1
52
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery power (750 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus E-P1 as a Vlogging camera
18
lack of video recording
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-P1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-P1
 Olympus E-30Olympus PEN E-P1
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-30 Olympus PEN E-P1
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-03-24 2009-07-29
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 megapixels 12 megapixels
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 4032 x 3024
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 45 107
Focal length multiplier 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech HyperCrystal II LCD HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 695 gr (1.53 lbs) 355 gr (0.78 lbs)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 55
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 21.4
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 10.4
DXO Low light score 530 536
Other
Battery life 750 photos 300 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-1 BLS-1
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $1,299 $182