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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Olympus PEN E-PM2 front
Portability
89
Imaging
52
Features
63
Overall
56

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 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 Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Revealed March 2009
Olympus E-PM2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 64 x 34mm
  • Introduced May 2013
  • Replaced the Olympus E-PM1
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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 Overview

The following is a in depth assessment of the Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are produced by Olympus. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and E-PM2 (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-30 was revealed 5 years prior to the E-PM2 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera 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-PM2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summary of how the E-30 grades vs the E-PM2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Olympus E-PM2

 E-30 E-PM2 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Olympus E-PM2 over the Olympus E-30

 E-PM2 E-30 
IntroducedMay 2013March 2009Newer by 50 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-PM2

 E-30 E-PM2 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-30 offers outside measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) whilst the Olympus E-PM2 has specifications of 110mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the E-30 against the E-PM2.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and E-PM2 is 60 and 89 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to envision the gap in sensor dimensions simply by viewing a spec sheet. The image below will give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-30 and E-PM2.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same resolution. You should anticipate the Olympus E-PM2 to provide you with extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged E-30 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Portrait photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Portrait photography camera
59
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW files
low MP (12MP)
71
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Street photography camera
Olympus E-PM2 as a Street photography camera
72
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
79
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has touch to focus
good ISO range (25,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography details
Olympus E-PM2 Sports photography details
51
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
low battery (750 CIPA)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography info
Olympus E-PM2 Travel photography info
49
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
no Time Lapse mode
low battery (750 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
66
has touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography factors
Olympus E-PM2 Landscape photography factors
52
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low MP (12MP)
low battery (750 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
74
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging highlights
Olympus E-PM2 Vlogging highlights
18
can't record video
36
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic jack
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Olympus E-30 vs Olympus E-PM2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Olympus E-PM2
 Olympus E-30Olympus PEN E-PM2
General Information
Make Olympus Olympus
Model Olympus E-30 Olympus PEN E-PM2
Class Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-03-24 2013-05-21
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 35
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic (optional)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 5.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 7.00 m (bundled FL-LM1)
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)
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/250 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 grams (1.53 lb) 269 grams (0.59 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 110 x 64 x 34mm (4.3" x 2.5" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 12.2
DXO Low light score 530 932
Other
Battery life 750 photos 360 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-1 BLS-5
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/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $1,299 $448