Olympus E-30 vs Sony A550: A Hands-On Deep Dive into Two 2009 DSLRs

In the late 2000s, the DSLR market was reaching an intriguing crossroads - bridge cameras were yet to overrun casual shooters, mirrorless cameras were still embryonic, and the competition among traditional DSLRs was fierce. Two contenders that often stir up nostalgia and respectable interest today are the Olympus E-30 and the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. Though both hail from the same year (2009), they cater to subtly divergent audiences and wield architecture and philosophies that shaped their image quality, usability, and potential longevity.

Having extensively tested both models side by side over weeks - plus deploying them across multiple genres including portrait, landscape, wildlife, and even macro - I’m excited to walk you through how these two cameras stack up now. Beyond specs, I’ll share how they feel in hand, how they perform in the field, and who should consider each.

The Physical Dimension Dance: Size, Shape, and Handling

Before plunging into pixels and processors, how a camera feels is paramount. Olympus's E-30 and Sony's A550 occupy somewhat different niches physically - one mid-size DSLR, the other a compact SLR.

The Olympus E-30 measures 142x108x75 mm and tips the scales at 695 grams, the bulk primarily owed to its traditional DSLR design with a pentaprism viewfinder and robust grip. On the other hand, the Sony A550 is a bit more compact (137x104x84 mm) and lighter at 632 grams, allowing for more discreet shooting and less fatigue during long outings.

Olympus sticks to a classic, ergonomically confident grip that welcomes all hand sizes and offers solid button placement. Sony, while more compact, opts for a slightly more minimalist control scheme but without sacrificing usability.

If you prize heft and a DSLR “feel,” Olympus wins here; for those favoring portability and a less intrusive presence, Sony’s form factor is more travel-friendly.

Peering Through the Looking Glass: Viewfinders and Screens

There’s something almost spiritual about composing shots through a clear, bright viewfinder. Both cameras feature optical viewfinders, but Olympus deploys a pentaprism, while Sony opts for a pentamirror system.

Pentaprisms like the E-30’s traditionally offer brighter, more accurate framing with better color fidelity and less edge distortion - ideal for critical compositions like portraits or landscapes. With 98% viewfinder coverage and 0.56x magnification, Olympus delivers a pleasantly immersive experience. Sony’s pentamirror, conversely, is lighter (helping with the camera's smaller size) but offers just 95% coverage and 0.53x magnification, which means you’ll often capture a touch more outside your frame than you think.

Complementing this, Olympus uses a 2.7-inch fully articulating HyperCrystal II LCD with a modest 230k-dot resolution - totally serviceable for live view or reviewing shots, though it’s no Retina display. Sony ups the ante with a larger 3-inch tilting LCD at 922k-dot resolution, putting sharper, brighter info at your fingertips.

The articulating screen on the E-30 feels flexible for tricky angles and macro work, while Sony’s tilting mechanism suffices for street or low-angle shooting. Neither model sports touchscreen controls, so navigating menus will involve physical buttons - more on those in a bit.

Sensor Smackdown: Size and Image Quality

Here’s where things get juicy and where we can start separating praise from pedantry. Both cameras house CMOS sensors, but the size difference is stark.

Olympus’s E-30 features a Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm (approx. 225mm²), offering a 12-megapixel resolution. Sony’s A550 sports a larger APS-C sensor at 23.4 x 15.6 mm (about 365mm²), boasting 14 megapixels.

How does sensor size really manifest in practical photography?

• Dynamic Range: The larger Sony sensor enjoys an edge with 11.8 EV dynamic range vs. Olympus’s 10.4 EV. This translates to better retention of highlights and shadows - invaluable in scenes with high contrast like sun-dappled landscapes or backlit portraits.

• Color Depth: Sony again pulls slightly ahead with 21.9 bits vs. Olympus’s 21.3 bits of color depth, lending paintingsque richness to skin tones and nuanced color gradations.

• Low-Light Capability: Sony’s sensor shines brighter here, rated for ISO sensitivity up to 12,800, compared to Olympus’s ceiling of 3,200 native ISO. In terms of low light, Sony yields cleaner images at higher ISOs, though Olympus isn’t a slouch thanks to in-body sensor stabilization.

In real-world shooting, I found Sony’s superior sensor size and higher ISO capabilities gave it an inherent advantage for low-light scenarios and scenes demanding dynamic latitude. Olympus, with its second-generation TruePic III+ processor, remains competent but is better suited for controlled lighting or shorter exposures.

Autofocus: How Sharp Is “Sharp” Under Pressure?

Autofocus can make or break diverse photography endeavors - wildlife, sports, or even street shooting. Olympus packs an 11-point AF system drawn from a combination of contrast and phase detection, including face detection in live view. Sony offers 9 AF points with phase detection, leaning heavily on speed.

Both cameras lack some of the more modern autofocus aides like animal eye AF or advanced tracking found in later models. The continuous AF modes support moderate burst shooting, with Olympus clocking 5fps and Sony sprinting ahead at 7fps.

For candid street photography or wildlife where burst speed and AF accuracy matter, Sony’s faster bursts and responsive AF deliver a slight edge. Olympus's AF still performs admirably, particularly for portraits helped by face detection, but it can lag under fast motion.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera is weather-sealed or designed to be rugged-proof; don’t plan to dunk either in wet conditions or expose them to dust storms without covers.

Olympus weighs more, suggesting more metal in the chassis, and sports a pentaprism, generally associated with a sturdier build. Sony’s lighter body means it’s easier to carry but might feel a bit less solid to some users over extensive usage.

Bottom line: Sweet spot cameras for enthusiast use, but not for harsh environments or professional fieldwork without additional protection.

Button Layout, Interface, and Controls: The User Experience

Olympus’s E-30 latches onto traditional DSLR controls with a top LCD panel (rare in modern cameras these days!) showing exposure data and settings at a glance. Sony forgoes that, concentrating display on the rear LCD and viewfinder.

While Olympus lacks illuminated buttons, its button placement is intuitive for photographers accustomed to DSLRs, featuring abundant customizable buttons, and direct access wheels for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation. Sony’s simplified layout makes it easy to navigate but feels less customizable.

For those who love fiddling with granular settings on the fly, Olympus is downright satisfying. Sony’s more streamlined interface helps beginners but can feel limiting for power users.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Ah, the lens mount battlefield!

Olympus, with its Micro Four Thirds mount, plays in a system with many native lenses from Olympus and Panasonic, plus compatibility with an extensive array of adapters that open access to legacy glass. The crop factor of 2.1x means that, for example, a 25mm lens gives a field of view equivalent to 52.5mm on full-frame - a neat advantage for telephoto reach but a challenge for wide-angle shooting.

Sony’s Alpha (Sony/Minolta) mount enjoys an immensely mature ecosystem with over 140 native lenses including some absolute gems from Zeiss and Sony themselves. The APS-C's 1.5x crop factor generally makes it easier to find lenses that balance wide and telephoto needs, as most third-party manufacturers cater generously here.

So, if lens availability or variety is key, Sony’s platform offers more choice and flexibility, particularly as you scale into professional-grade glass.

Storage, Connectivity, and Power

Both cameras rely on a single memory card slot - the Olympus uses Compact Flash (Type I or II) or xD Picture Card, while Sony adopts the more ubiquitous SD/SDHC and Memory Stick Pro Duo formats.

Battery life shows divergence: Olympus boasts a stellar 750 shots per charge on its BLM-1 battery compared to Sony’s more modest 480 on the NP-FM500H. For long days shooting landscapes or events, Olympus’s battery longevity is a welcome edge.

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC - reflecting their era. Sony, however, does include an HDMI port, useful for immediate on-screen playback, which Olympus curiously omits.

Performance in Photography Genres: Real-World Testing

To cut through specs, here’s a genre-by-genre breakdown informed by side-by-side shooting sessions, interspersed with sample images below.

Olympus E 30 front Olympus E 30 screen back Sony A550 front Sony A550 screen back

Portrait Photography

Portraiture hinges on skin tone accuracy, dynamic range to preserve detail in highlights and shadows, and bokeh quality for subject separation.

Olympus’s Four Thirds sensor produces very pleasing skin tones - warm and natural - bolstered by in-body image stabilization that helps in dim environments. The TruePic III+ processor renders images with gentle contrast that is flattering, if slightly subdued.

Sony’s APS-C sensor affords greater resolution and cleaner high ISO shots, facilitating sharper portraits even handheld indoors. Additionally, the wider lens ecosystem lets you easily find fast primes to achieve smooth bokeh.

Verdict: If you prioritize classic portrait style and articulation for awkward angles, Olympus shines; if ultimate sharpness and lens choice thrill you, go Sony.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range and resolution are crucial here because you want detail in clouds, water, and textures without losing tonal subtleties.

Sony’s deeper DR (11.8 EV) and higher resolution (14MP) edge out, especially when shooting RAW. Plus, 460mm² sensor area lends itself to finer detail capture.

Olympus’ articulating screen offers handy flexibility when shooting from the ground or awkward vantage points but the lesser native raw file quality constrains post-processing wiggle-room.

No weather sealing on either model means bringing rain covers or enclosures is advisable.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Success depends heavily on autofocus speed, burst shot performance, and lens reach.

Sony’s quicker 7fps burst and snappier AF with 9 points lets you nail an eagle’s mid-flight or a sprinter’s stride. The larger APS-C sensor channels higher ISOs gracefully for dim forests or dusky stadiums.

Olympus is competent with 5fps burst and 11 focus points, but slower AF and smaller sensor mean it can miss critical moments in fast bursts or low-light chase scenes.

Lens-wise, Sony’s broader telephoto options grant a clear advantage for wildlife photographers.

Street and Travel Photography

Size, discreteness, ease of handling, and battery life are priorities here.

Sony, smaller and lighter, is less conspicuous for candid street portraits, and the larger, brighter rear screen helps compose quickly in dynamic environments.

Olympus excels on battery life - clutch for travel shoots without frequent charging access - plus the articulating screen is excellent for shooting from hip height or awkward angles.

Macro and Night/Astro Photography

Macro shots benefit from precise focus and steady shots at close range. Olympus’s articulating screen, coupled with image stabilization, offers real help in teasing out sharp close-ups. However, its lower max ISO limits night macro potential.

Sony's higher ISO ceiling and detail capture make it more adept for astrophotography and low-light macro, though no focus stacking or advanced bracketing features limit ultra-macro explorations.

Video Capabilities

Neither camera records video - a reminder of the era they were born in. So if video is a priority, look elsewhere.

Workflow, File Formats, and Professional Use

Both cameras support RAW capture and offer manual, aperture, and shutter priority modes, essential for professional workflows.

Olympus stores RAW in ORF format while Sony uses ARW - both universally supported by major editing suites like Adobe Lightroom. Neither camera offers tethered shooting out of the box, nor sophisticated wireless workflows.

This puts them squarely in the enthusiast-to-semi-pro category today rather than absolute professional, but capable of producing high-quality deliverables with the right lenses and post-processing.

Bringing It All Together: Overall Scores and Suggestions

Looking at an aggregate of DXOmark metrics, burst performance, battery, and ergonomics, Sony’s A550 sports a 66 overall score, comfortably ahead of Olympus’s 55. This difference reflects Sony’s sensor advantages, faster shooting, and more vibrant LCD screen.

However, Olympus holds its own with superior ergonomics, longer battery life, and an articulating screen.

Genre-Specific Performance: Who’s Best for What?

• Portraits: Olympus slightly favored for ergonomics and skin tonality nuances.
• Landscape: Sony wins due to sensor size and DR.
• Wildlife & Sports: Sony leaps ahead with burst and AF.
• Street & Travel: Sony’s compactness vs Olympus’s battery life creates a split preference.
• Macro: Olympus best for ease of framing; Sony for detail/lens ecosystem.
• Astro/Night: Sony dominates higher ISO and resolution needs.
• Video: Neither competitive.

Final Thoughts: Which Should You Pick?

If you’re itching for a robust, traditional DSLR experience, with an optical pentaprism, superb battery endurance, and the flexibility of an articulating screen - and you primarily shoot controlled lighting or travel photography - the Olympus E-30 is a charming companion. Its Micro Four Thirds system may feel restrictive in lens choice but suits those valuing compact lenses and portability.

Conversely, if image quality, dynamic range, autofocus speed, and versatile lens selection are your biggest priorities - especially for active genres like wildlife, sports, and low-light photography - the Sony A550 provides a better all-around photographic tool. It’s lighter and boasts a brighter, sharper display, along with respectable burst rates.

For professionals looking for modern features like video or GPS, or cutting-edge autofocus and sensor performance, both feel dated, but as reliable used cameras or learning tools, they more than hold their own.

Wrapping Up

Both Olympus and Sony crafted compelling DSLRs in 2009 that shine differently depending on your photographic passions. My hands-on tests affirm that the Sony A550 is a well-rounded choice for faster shooters and those chasing image quality heights, whereas the Olympus E-30 offers a more traditional, physically thoughtful experience with endurance as its trump card.

Photographers today can still enjoy legacy magic from either system, especially paired with lenses tailored to their genre. Just recognize the compromises: no video, no modern connectivity, and older sensor tech, but robust, engaging cameras to nurture your craft.

Happy shooting!

If you’re hunting for more inspiration, or want to peek at some of my detailed sample images from these cameras, do scroll back up to the galleries sprinkled throughout this article.

Pleasure sharing these insights from the trenches of camera testing - here’s to finding your perfect tool in the journey of creating beautiful photos.