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Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
53
Features
54
Overall
53

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380 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 A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced August 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A350
  • New Model is Sony A390
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Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Olympus E-30 and Sony A380, former is a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the A380 (14MP) is fairly similar but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and A380 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The E-30 was unveiled 5 months prior to the A380 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A380 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the E-30 grades versus the A380 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Sony A380

 E-30 A380 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Olympus E-30

 A380 E-30 

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Sony A380

 E-30 A380 
IntroducedMarch 2009August 2009Similar age
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display sizing
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Olympus E-30 has physical dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Sony A380 has specifications of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-30 and Sony A380 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the E-30 compared to the A380.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-30 and A380 is 60 and 68 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions merely by going over specs. The image here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and A380.

All in all, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The E-30 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Sony A380 will deliver extra detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography info
Sony A380 Portrait photography info
59
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
71
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography info
Sony A380 Street photography info
72
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
76
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography features
Sony A380 Sports photography features
51
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (750 shots)
59
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (500 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-30
Travel photography with Sony A380
49
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (750 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
53
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery life (500 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-30
Landscape photography with Sony A380
52
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
terrible battery life (750 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
terrible battery life (500 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging information
Sony A380 Vlogging information
18
no video shooting
9
no video recording
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Olympus E-30 vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Sony A380
 Olympus E-30Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus E-30 Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-03-24 2009-08-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
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 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 45 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 98% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 10.00 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, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Maximum video resolution None None
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695 gr (1.53 pounds) 519 gr (1.14 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 67
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 11.8
DXO Low light rating 530 614
Other
Battery life 750 photos 500 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLM-1 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $1,299 $899