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Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15

Portability
60
Imaging
47
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Sigma SD15 front
Portability
59
Imaging
44
Features
45
Overall
44

Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15 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
Sigma SD15
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Sigma SA Mount
  • 750g - 144 x 107 x 81mm
  • Announced February 2010
  • Superseded the Sigma SD14
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Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15 Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Olympus E-30 and Sigma SD15, both Advanced DSLR digital cameras by brands Olympus and Sigma. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and SD15 (5MP) and the E-30 (Four Thirds) and SD15 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The E-30 was released 11 months earlier than the SD15 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick summary of how the E-30 grades against the SD15 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Sigma SD15

 E-30 SD15 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sigma SD15 over the Olympus E-30

 SD15 E-30 
AnnouncedFebruary 2010March 2009More modern by 11 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Sigma SD15

 E-30 SD15 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Olympus E-30 has got exterior measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") and a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Sigma SD15 has specifications of 144mm x 107mm x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-30 and Sigma SD15 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-30 vs the SD15.

Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and SD15 is 60 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to see the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through a spec sheet. The picture here will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and SD15.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-30 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Olympus E-30 will give extra detail as a result of its extra 7MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more aged E-30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography information
Sigma SD15 Portrait photography information
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
50
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
low megapixels (5MP)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography details
Sigma SD15 Street photography details
72
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
52
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography advice
Sigma SD15 Sports photography advice
52
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
low battery (750 shots)
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview
slow fps (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-30
Travel photography with Sigma SD15
49
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery (750 shots)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
42
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (5MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography features
Sigma SD15 Landscape photography features
52
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
low battery (750 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
51
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sigma SA mount)
nice screen size (3")
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no liveview
no image stabilization
low megapixels (5 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Vlogging camera
Sigma SD15 as a Vlogging camera
18
no video
9
can't record video
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Olympus E-30 vs Sigma SD15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Sigma SD15
 Olympus E-30Sigma SD15
General Information
Brand Olympus Sigma
Model Olympus E-30 Sigma SD15
Class Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-03-24 2010-02-20
Physical type Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ True II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS (Foveon X3)
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 20.7 x 13.8mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 285.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 5MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 2640 x 1760
Max native ISO 3200 1600
Max boosted ISO - 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sigma SA
Number of lenses 45 76
Crop factor 2.1 1.7
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.6x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m -
Flash options Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 gr (1.53 lbs) 750 gr (1.65 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 144 x 107 x 81mm (5.7" x 4.2" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 530 not tested
Other
Battery life 750 photographs -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $1,299 $1,500