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Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V

Portability
58
Imaging
48
Features
76
Overall
59
Olympus E-5 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V front
Portability
90
Imaging
42
Features
50
Overall
45

Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V Key Specs

Olympus E-5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 800g - 143 x 117 x 75mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Succeeded the Olympus E-3
Sony HX30V
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-500mm (F3.2-5.8) lens
  • 254g - 107 x 62 x 35mm
  • Revealed February 2012
  • Older Model is Sony HX20V
  • Renewed by Sony HX50V
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Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Sony. There is a sizeable difference among the resolutions of the E-5 (12MP) and HX30V (18MP) and the E-5 (Four Thirds) and HX30V (1/2.3") come with different sensor size.

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The E-5 was introduced 13 months prior to the HX30V making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony HX30V being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the E-5 matches up against the HX30V when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-5 over the Sony HX30V

 E-5 HX30V 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Sony HX30V over the Olympus E-5

 HX30V E-5 
RevealedFebruary 2012February 2011Fresher by 13 months
Display resolution922k920kCrisper display (+2k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-5 and Sony HX30V

 E-5 HX30V 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Touch display No Touch display

Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-5 comes with exterior measurements of 143mm x 117mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs) whilst the Sony HX30V has proportions of 107mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 254 grams (0.56 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-5 compared to the HX30V.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the E-5 and HX30V is 58 and 90 respectively.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through technical specs. The visual below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-5 and HX30V.

As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-5 using its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field less difficult and the Sony HX30V will show greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos far more aggressively. The older E-5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V sensor size comparison

Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-5
Portrait photography with Sony HX30V
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12MP)
45
manual focus
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-5 Street photography highlights
Sony HX30V Street photography highlights
71
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (254g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-5 Sports photography details
Sony HX30V Sports photography details
59
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
49
long zoom range (25-500mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-5 Travel photography details
Sony HX30V Travel photography details
56
weather proof
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
69
lighter than competition (254 grams)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (500mm)
no Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-5 Landscape photography features
Sony HX30V Landscape photography features
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
has double storage slots
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse mode
50
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-5 Vlogging advice
Sony HX30V Vlogging advice
64
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
includes mic port
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
34
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition (254g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone jack
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Olympus E-5 vs Sony HX30V Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-5 and Sony HX30V
 Olympus E-5Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model Olympus E-5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V
Type Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-02-03 2012-02-28
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V+ 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 area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 18 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4032 x 3024 4896 x 3672
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Cross focus points 11 -
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-500mm (20.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.2-5.8
Macro focus range - 1cm
Total lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech HyperCrystal transmissive LCD XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.58x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 18.00 m (at ISO 200) 7.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 800g (1.76 pounds) 254g (0.56 pounds)
Dimensions 143 x 117 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.6" x 3.0") 107 x 62 x 35mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 519 not tested
Other
Battery life 870 images 320 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-5 NP-BG1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Compact Flash (Type I or II)/SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Two Single
Launch cost $1,700 $420