Olympus E30

The Olympus E-30 is a digital SLR from 2008, built around an NMOS sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format and the Micro 4/3 lens mount.

It suits photographers who want a straightforward stills tool: an optical pentaprism viewfinder for framing, stabilisation that works with every lens you mount, and a burst that reaches up to 5 fps for short action sequences.

At 695 g and 142 x 108 x 75 mm, it carries like the mid-sized DSLR it is, so plan on a proper camera bag rather than anything pocketable.

The 12.3 megapixel NMOS sensor sits in the Micro Four Thirds format and works alongside the TruePic III+ processor. That resolution leaves room for prints and some cropping.

You frame shots through a pentaprism optical viewfinder, which gives a direct, immediate view of the scene. Eleven autofocus points are available, and burst shooting reaches up to 5 fps for brief sequences of movement.

In-body stabilisation counters camera shake in the camera itself, so every Micro 4/3 lens you attach benefits. That helps you shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be advisable, though it will not freeze subject motion.

Sensitivity spans a range of ISO 200 to 3200, which leaves little margin in genuinely dark conditions. The 1/8000 maximum shutter speed is useful whenever you want wide apertures in bright light.

The E-30 does not record video in any mode. It is a stills camera, full stop.

There is no built-in timelapse function either, so interval work would need external triggering. Live view is available, but it serves stills framing only.

The 2.7-inch LCD carries 230,000 dots, a modest combination for judging fine detail, though the screen does flip out, which helps with overhead or waist-level shooting, and live view makes those angles workable.

A built-in flash covers casual fill light, and an external flash can be added when more power is wanted.

There is no touchscreen, no wireless connectivity and no GPS, and the body lacks weather sealing, so it deserves care in dust and rain. The Features score of 34 reflects those absences along with the small, low-dot screen, and the camera sits in the bottom 15% of cameras in our database for Features.

Two card slots accept Compact Flash (Type I or II) and xD Picture Card media. Having two slots gives some flexibility for carrying extra storage, though the differing formats are worth noting when buying cards.

The BLM-1 battery is rated at 750 shots per charge, a solid figure on paper, though real-world endurance always depends on how you shoot. The Storage & Battery score of 68, a good result, rests on the dual card slots and the battery rating; the lack of USB charging holds it back slightly.

Without USB charging, a second BLM-1 battery is a sensible addition for long shoots away from power.