Olympus E3 vs Olympus E30 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 10.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E3
42
WINNER
|
Olympus · DSLR · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E30
39
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E3 and Olympus E30 are DSLRs released a year apart, the E3 in 2007 and the E30 in 2008. That single year separates the earlier body from the later one in this line. The E30 is the lighter body for a day of walking photography: 695 g against the E3's 890 g, a 195 g saving. It is also the shallower camera, measuring 142 x 108 x 75 mm against the E3's 142 x 116 x 75 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2007 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 16, 2007 | November 5, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 142 x 116 x 75 mm | 142 x 108 x 75 mm |
| Camera weight | 890 g | 695 g |
| Optics | 40/100 | 38/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E30 is the stronger choice for heavy cropping, with 12.3 megapixels against the E3's 10.1. That extra pixel count lets you tighten a wildlife frame or print larger from a distant subject. Both use the same Micro Four Thirds sensor format, while the sensor types differ: the E3's is a Live MOS design and the E30's an NMOS. Action photography works the same way on either body: both shoot at 5 fps and share 11 autofocus points. Both offer in-body stabilisation, steadying handheld shots with any mounted lens, and both share the Micro 4/3 lens mount, so existing lenses fit either camera. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
10.1 MP050 | 12.3 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
3648 x 2736 | 4032 x 3024 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
Live MOS | NMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
5 fps045 | 5 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic III | TruePic III+ |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
10030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
32003003280000 | 32003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 800080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
110300 | 110300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither the E3 nor the E30 records video, so anyone needing motion capture must look elsewhere. Both are stills-only DSLRs, and neither offers a built-in intervalometer for time-lapse work. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
N/A | N/A |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
N/A | N/A |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
N/A | N/A |
| Features | 43/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesWeather sealing is the E3's clearest practical advantage: it is sealed against dust and moisture, while the E30 is not. Photographers shooting in rain, at the coast, or in dusty conditions get protection on the E3 that the E30 simply lacks. Both include a built-in flash and support external flash units. The E30's 2.7-inch LCD gives slightly more room for checking focus and framing than the E3's 2.5-inch screen, at the same 230,000 dots. Both screens flip out for waist-level or overhead framing, and both cameras offer live view for composing on the screen. Neither body includes GPS, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | No |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen size | 2.5" | 2.7" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
2300001150001500000 | 2300001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 63/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe E30's battery rating favours long shooting days: it is rated at 750 shots against the E3's 610, a 23 percent higher rating. Both run on the same BLM-1 battery. Storage is shared: both cameras take CompactFlash Type I or II cards and xD Picture Cards, and both have dual card slots for carrying two cards at once. Neither charges its battery over USB. | ||
| Memory card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card | Compact Flash (Type I or II), xD Picture Card |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | BLM-1 | BLM-1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
610 shots1505000 | 750 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The E30 is the better pick for travel, walking photography and high-volume shooting: it is 195 g lighter, crops more generously at 12.3 megapixels, and carries a 750-shot battery rating. Its slightly larger 2.7-inch screen is a small bonus for reviewing images on the go.
Choose the E3 when you photograph in rain, sea spray or dust, because its weather sealing is protection the E30 does not have. The pair shares the Micro 4/3 mount, 5 fps shooting, 11 autofocus points and the same card setup, so weather protection and carrying weight are the practical deciding factors.