Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PL5

On this page, we will be comparing the Olympus E-30 versus Olympus E-PL5, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are offered by Olympus. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and E-PL5 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (Four Thirds).

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The E-30 was released 4 years prior to the E-PL5 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus E-PL5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-30 scores versus the E-PL5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-30 & Olympus PEN E-PL5. The complete galleries are available at Olympus E-30 Gallery & Olympus E-PL5 Gallery.

If you are going to carry your camera, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 has 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-PL5 has measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") along with a weight of 325 grams (0.72 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-30 versus Olympus E-PL5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-30 and the E-PL5.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and E-PL5 is 60 and 88 respectively.

Normally, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing simply by looking at technical specs. The photograph here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and E-PL5.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Olympus E-PL5 to give you more detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The older E-30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.