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Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550

Portability
60
Imaging
47
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550 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 Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Released March 2009
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A100
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Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Olympus E-30 versus Sony A550, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The image resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and A550 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The E-30 was introduced 8 months earlier than the A550 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-30 grades versus the A550 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Sony A550

 E-30 A550 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus E-30

 A550 E-30 
RevealedDecember 2009March 2009Fresher by 8 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Sony A550

 E-30 A550 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-30 offers exterior dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has dimensions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-30 versus Sony A550 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have at the time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the E-30 versus the A550.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and A550 is 60 and 63 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at specs. The graphic underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and A550.

All in all, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-30 using its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Sony A550 will resolve extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older E-30 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography factors
Sony A550 Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low resolution (12 megapixels)
72
has manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography factors
Sony A550 Street photography factors
72
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography information
Sony A550 Sports photography information
52
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution (12MP)
low battery life (750 CIPA)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
49
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
low battery life (750 per charge)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
52
decent MP (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (480 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography features
Sony A550 Landscape photography features
52
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery life (750 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
66
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
bad battery power (480 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-30
Vlogging with Sony A550
18
can't record video
9
no video
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Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Sony A550
 Olympus E-30Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-30 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-03-24 2009-12-09
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ Bionz
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 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 45 143
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 12.00 m
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, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 gr (1.53 lbs) 632 gr (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 66
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 11.8
DXO Low light score 530 807
Other
Battery life 750 pictures 480 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-1 NP-FM500H
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/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch price $1,299 $749