Olympus E-30 vs Olympus XZ-1

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-30 and Olympus XZ-1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Olympus. The image resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the XZ-1 (10MP) is pretty comparable but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and XZ-1 (1/1.63") enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-30 was unveiled 22 months earlier than the XZ-1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Olympus XZ-1 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-30 matches up versus the XZ-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Olympus E-30 & Olympus XZ-1. The full galleries are provided at Olympus E-30 Gallery & Olympus XZ-1 Gallery.

When you are going to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus E-30 has physical measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) while the Olympus XZ-1 has sizing of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-30 and Olympus XZ-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the E-30 versus the XZ-1.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the E-30 and XZ-1 is 60 and 88 respectively.

In many cases, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by seeing specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-30 and XZ-1.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-30 having a bigger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Olympus E-30 will provide greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The older E-30 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.