Olympus E30 vs Olympus E520 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E30
39
WINNER
|
Olympus · DSLR · 10 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E520
38
SCORE
|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E30 is the larger and heavier of these two 2008 DSLRs, at 142 x 108 x 75 mm and 695 g. The Olympus E520 measures 136 x 92 x 68 mm and 552 g, making it 143 g lighter and smaller in every dimension, which suits travel and all-day carrying. The two cameras share a DSLR design and arrived in the same year, with the E520 announced in May 2008 and the E30 following in November. Both use the same lens mount and sensor format, so your existing lenses carry across either body. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2008 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 5, 2008 | May 13, 2008 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 142 x 108 x 75 mm | 136 x 92 x 68 mm |
| Camera weight | 695 g | 552 g |
| Optics | 38/100 | 37/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E30 is the stronger choice for action shooting. Its 11 autofocus points, against 3 on the E520, let you place focus off-centre on a moving subject, and its 5 fps burst captures more of the action than the E520's 3.5 fps. The E30 also frames through a pentaprism viewfinder while the E520 uses a pentamirror. Its 1/8000 second top shutter speed, against 1/4000 on the E520, allows wide apertures in bright daylight. Resolution also favours the E30, with 12.3 MP against 10 MP for more cropping room on distant wildlife. Its standard ISO range reaches 3200 against the E520's 1600 ceiling. The E520's native range starts at 100 ISO for long daylight exposures, while the E30 starts at 200. Both cameras offer in-body stabilisation, so any mounted lens gains shake reduction for handheld work in dim interiors. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 MP050 | 10 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4032 x 3024 | 3648 x 2736 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
NMOS | Live MOS |
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 17.3 | 13 x 17 |
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 | 3.5 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. |
20030200 | 10030200 |
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 | 16003003280000 |
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 | 16003003280000 |
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 | 400080032000 |
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 | 30300 |
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 (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | ||
Read the Video ComparisonVideoNeither camera records video or offers a built-in timelapse mode, so motion capture alongside stills means using another device. Both are stills-only DSLRs. | ||
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 | 34/100 | 34/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe E30's articulating screen is the most useful control difference here. Tilt it for waist-level macro work or overhead crowd shots, which the E520's fixed screen cannot do. The rear displays match at 2.7 inches and 230000 dots, and both offer live view, a built-in flash and a hot shoe for external flash units. Connectivity is minimal on both, with no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, so image transfer needs a card reader and geotagging is manual. Neither body has weather sealing or a touchscreen. | ||
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. |
✗ | ✗ |
| 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 | 2.7" | 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 | No |
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 | 68/100 | 65/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras take the same cards, CompactFlash Type I or II plus xD Picture Cards, in dual slots that keep a second card loaded in the body. The E30's BLM-1 battery is rated for 750 shots against 650 for the E520's BLM-2, a 100-shot difference in their rated figures. Neither charges 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-2 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
750 shots1505000 | 650 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The E30 is the better buy for action and wildlife. Its 11-point autofocus, faster 5 fps burst and 1/8000 second shutter make it the more capable body for moving subjects, and the tilting screen helps at awkward angles. Its 12.3 MP sensor also gives more cropping room for a distant bird, and its standard ISO range reaches 3200 rather than 1600.
Choose the E520 when a smaller, lighter body matters more than speed, such as travel or casual family photography. Both share the same lens mount, in-body stabilisation and dual card slots, so your lenses and shooting fundamentals carry across either body.