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Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20

Portability
60
Imaging
47
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Samsung GX-20 front
Portability
58
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20 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 Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Revealed March 2009
Samsung GX-20
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 72mm
  • Launched January 2008
  • Replaced the Samsung GX-10
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Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Overview

Following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-30 and Samsung GX-20, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by competitors Olympus and Samsung. The sensor resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the GX-20 (15MP) is pretty well matched but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and GX-20 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-30 was announced 15 months after the GX-20 which makes them a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras have the same body design (Mid-size SLR).

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short introduction of how the E-30 grades versus the GX-20 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Samsung GX-20

 E-30 GX-20 
LaunchedMarch 2009January 2008More modern by 15 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-20 over the Olympus E-30

 GX-20 E-30 

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Samsung GX-20

 E-30 GX-20 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurements
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-30 provides outer 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 Samsung GX-20 has dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-30 and Samsung GX-20 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the E-30 compared to the GX-20.

Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and GX-20 is 60 and 58 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The picture underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and GX-20.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The E-30 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Samsung GX-20 will give you greater detail with its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The newer E-30 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography factors
Samsung GX-20 Portrait photography factors
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
72
manual focus
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography details
Samsung GX-20 Street photography details
72
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-30
Sports photography with Samsung GX-20
52
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (750 shots)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-30
Travel photography with Samsung GX-20
49
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (750 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
64
environment sealing
resolution is good (15MP)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-30
Landscape photography with Samsung GX-20
52
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
small screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (750 shots)
lack of Time Lapse mode
71
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is small (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging details
Samsung GX-20 Vlogging details
18
can't record video
9
can't record video
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Olympus E-30 vs Samsung GX-20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Samsung GX-20
 Olympus E-30Samsung GX-20
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Samsung
Model type Olympus E-30 Samsung GX-20
Type Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-03-24 2008-01-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4688 x 3120
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 45 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695 gr (1.53 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 142 x 101 x 72mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 68
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 23.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 11.2
DXO Low light rating 530 714
Other
Battery life 750 images -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Retail price $1,299 $850