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Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
60
Imaging
47
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II 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
  • Introduced March 2009
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Superseded the Sony A99
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II Overview

In this article, we will be contrasting the Olympus E-30 versus Sony A99 II, both Advanced DSLR cameras by brands Olympus and Sony. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the E-30 (Four Thirds) and A99 II (Full frame) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The E-30 was manufactured 8 years before the A99 II which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer the identical body type (Mid-size SLR).

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the E-30 matches up versus the A99 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Sony A99 II

 E-30 A99 II 

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Olympus E-30

 A99 II E-30 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016March 2009More modern by 91 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1229k230kClearer screen (+999k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Sony A99 II

 E-30 A99 II 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully articulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-30 provides exterior measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") along with a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) while the Sony A99 II has proportions of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") and a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

See the Olympus E-30 versus Sony A99 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the E-30 against the A99 II.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and A99 II is 60 and 57 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by going through specs. The picture below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-30 and A99 II.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The E-30 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Sony A99 II will provide greater detail due to its extra 30 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged E-30 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography factors
Sony A99 II Portrait photography factors
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
86
has manual focus
high megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography features
Sony A99 II Street photography features
72
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
76
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
very good high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography highlights
Sony A99 II Sports photography highlights
52
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery power (750 CIPA)
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
bad battery pack (490 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography features
Sony A99 II Travel photography features
49
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse mode
not so great battery power (750 shots)
low MP (12MP)
70
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
high megapixels (42 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (490 per charge)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography information
Sony A99 II Landscape photography information
52
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery power (750 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
high megapixels (42MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery pack (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging info
Sony A99 II Vlogging info
18
can't shoot video
78
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has mic port
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Olympus E-30 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Sony A99 II
 Olympus E-30Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-30 Sony Alpha A99 II
Category Advanced DSLR Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-03-24 2016-09-19
Body design Mid-size SLR Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 42MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 7952 x 5304
Maximum native ISO 3200 25600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 399
Cross type focus points - 79
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully articulated
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 1,229k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,359k dot
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.78x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Maximum video resolution None 3840x2160
Video format - MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695 gr (1.53 lb) 849 gr (1.87 lb)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 92
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 13.4
DXO Low light rating 530 2317
Other
Battery life 750 pictures 490 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery ID BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Storage slots One 2
Launch cost $1,299 $3,198