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Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V 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
  • Launched March 2009
Sony HX20V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced July 2012
  • Replaced the Sony HX10V
  • Refreshed by Sony HX30V
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V Overview

The following is a comprehensive overview of the Olympus E-30 versus Sony HX20V, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the E-30 (12MP) and HX20V (18MP) and the E-30 (Four Thirds) and HX20V (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizing.

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The E-30 was released 4 years before the HX20V which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX20V being a Compact camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the E-30 grades vs the HX20V with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Sony HX20V

 E-30 HX20V 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX20V over the Olympus E-30

 HX20V E-30 
AnnouncedJuly 2012March 2009Newer by 40 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Sony HX20V

 E-30 HX20V 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-30 offers outside measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Sony HX20V has sizing of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Compare the Olympus E-30 versus Sony HX20V in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the E-30 vs the HX20V.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and HX20V is 60 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to picture the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reading specs. The image here may give you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-30 and HX20V.

All in all, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-30 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Sony HX20V will deliver greater detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged E-30 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-30
Portrait photography with Sony HX20V
59
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
45
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus E-30
Street photography with Sony HX20V
72
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography factors
Sony HX20V Sports photography factors
51
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery pack (750 per charge)
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography factors
Sony HX20V Travel photography factors
49
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (750 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
69
lighter than competition (254g)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (500mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography advice
Sony HX20V Landscape photography advice
52
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
bad battery pack (750 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
50
has manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (18 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus E-30
Vlogging with Sony HX20V
18
can't record video
34
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (254g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Olympus E-30 vs Sony HX20V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Sony HX20V
 Olympus E-30Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-30 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-03-24 2012-07-20
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic III+ BIONZ
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 3200 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech HyperCrystal II LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1920x1080
Video data format - MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695g (1.53 pounds) 254g (0.56 pounds)
Physical dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 shots 320 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-1 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Cost at release $1,299 $397