Olympus E30 vs Olympus E600 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · DSLR · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E30
43
WINNER
|
Olympus · DSLR · 12.3 MP · Micro Four Thirds
Olympus E600
42
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus E30 and Olympus E600 are both DSLRs sharing the same Micro 4/3 lens mount, so lenses move freely between the two bodies. Olympus released the E30 in 2008 as the larger model, and the E600 followed in 2009 in a smaller, lighter frame. The size difference is real rather than cosmetic. The E30 measures 142 x 108 x 75 mm and weighs 695 g, while the E600 is 130 x 94 x 60 mm and 515 g, a 180 g reduction, which makes the E600 the easier body to pack for travel and daily carry. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2008 | 2009 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 5, 2008 | August 30, 2009 |
| Camera type |  DSLR | DSLR |
| Camera size | 142 x 108 x 75 mm | 130 x 94 x 60 mm |
| Camera weight | 695 g | 515 g |
| Optics | 44/100 | 43/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E30 is the stronger camera for moving subjects. It shoots at 5 fps with 11 autofocus points, against 4 fps and 7 points on the E600, so a soccer match or birds in flight gives you an extra frame each second and more AF points to place over an off-centre subject. The E30's 1/8000 second top shutter speed is half the duration of the E600's 1/4000 second, which helps when shooting wide apertures in bright sunlight. Both share 12.3 MP resolution, a 200 to 3200 ISO range and in-body stabilisation, and both use the TruePic III+ processor, so handheld low-light stills remain possible with either. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.3 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. |
4032 x 3024 | 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. |
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 17.3 |
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 | 4 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 | 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 | 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 | 70300 |
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 function, so clips and motion sequences sit outside both bodies' abilities. Anyone who needs video alongside stills will have to look beyond this pair entirely. | ||
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 ComparisonFeaturesBoth cameras offer a flip-out 2.7 inch LCD with live view, which makes framing at waist level or above a crowd straightforward without lying on the ground. Each also carries a built-in flash plus support for external flash units, covering fill light and stronger studio work alike. Neither body offers GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or weather sealing, and neither screen is a touchscreen. Geotagging travel photos therefore requires an external recorder with either camera. | ||
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 | 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 | 68/100 | 60/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryEither body accepts Compact Flash Type I or II and xD Picture Cards, and both provide dual slots, so you can keep two cards installed at the same time. Neither charges over USB, so both rely on their own external charger. The E30's BLM-1 battery is rated for 750 shots, against 500 shots for the E600's BLS-1. Because the battery types differ, spares and chargers do not carry over from one body to the other, which matters if you later add the second camera. | ||
| 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 | BLS-1 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
750 shots1505000 | 500 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the E30 if you photograph action or shoot wide open in daylight. Its 5 fps burst, 11 autofocus points and 1/8000 second shutter make it the stronger camera for sports, wildlife and bright-aperture portraits.
Choose the E600 if lighter travel matters more than burst speed, since its 515 g body saves 180 g on every walk. Both share the same mount, resolution, stabilisation, card slots and live view, so your lens collection and shooting style carry over unchanged.