Olympus E-30
Competitors

As well as being compared against other entry-level DSLRs, the Olympus E-30 is also often compared to pro DSLRs and mirrorless. The Olympus E-30's top rivals come from Olympus (such as the E-3 and the E-5) and Nikon (such as the D7000 and the D5100)

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus E-30 compared to other entry-level DSLR competitors include: it has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), is slightly lighter (665 g vs 740 g), has a faster max shutter speed (1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second) and much longer exposures (60 seconds vs 30 seconds).

However, on average it is significantly more noisy at high ISO (530 ISO vs 1,162 ISO), has significantly lower image quality (55.0 vs 80.0), doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 24fps), has much less color depth (21.3 bits vs 23.5 bits) and has significantly narrower dynamic range (10.4 EV vs 13 EV).

Olympus E-3 1 year older	Significant advantages of the E-3 (vs the E-30) Better color depth: 21.6 bits vs 21.3 bits Has a flip-out screen Significant disadvantages of the E-3 (vs the E-30) Significantly smaller screen: 2.5" vs 2.7" Much heavier: 890 g vs 665 g common strengths of the E-3 and E-30 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Both have pentaprism viewfinders: Pentaprism vs Pentaprism Above average viewfinder coverage: 100% vs 98%
	Compare the E-3 vs the E-30
Olympus E-5 1 year newer $1,699 - $1,700 (body only)	Significant advantages of the E-5 (vs the E-30) Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Significant disadvantages of the E-5 (vs the E-30) Much heavier: 892 g vs 665 g common strengths of the E-5 and E-30 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Both have pentaprism viewfinders: Pentaprism vs Pentaprism Above average viewfinder coverage: 100% vs 98%
	Compare the E-5 vs the E-30
Olympus E-620 3 months newer	Significant advantages of the E-620 (vs the E-30) Has a flip-out screen Much smaller: Prosumer size 130x94x60 mm vs Professional size 142x108x75 mm Much thinner: 2.4" vs 3" Significant disadvantages of the E-620 (vs the E-30) Significantly less viewfinder coverage: 95% vs 98% Much slower max shutter speed: 1/4000 of a second vs 1/8000 of a second common strengths of the E-620 and E-30 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Thin: 2.4" vs 3" Very long exposure times: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds
	Compare the E-620 vs the E-30
Pentax K-5 1 year newer $905 - $1,129 (body only) $1,056 - $1,283 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the K-5 (vs the E-30) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,162 ISO vs 530 ISO Much better image quality: 82.0 vs 55.0 Better color depth: 23.7 bits vs 21.3 bits Significant disadvantages of the K-5 (vs the E-30) Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds common strengths of the K-5 and E-30 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Both have pentaprism viewfinders: Pentaprism vs Pentaprism Above average viewfinder coverage: 100% vs 98%
	Compare the Pentax K-5 vs the Olympus E-30
Nikon D7000 1 year newer $1,000 - $1,197 (body only) $1,100 55-200mm lens	Significant advantages of the D7000 (vs the E-30) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,167 ISO vs 530 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 55.0 Better color depth: 23.5 bits vs 21.3 bits Significant disadvantages of the D7000 (vs the E-30) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds Heavier: 780 g vs 665 g common strengths of the D7000 and E-30 Both have pentaprism viewfinders: Pentaprism vs Pentaprism Above average viewfinder coverage: 100% vs 98% Very fast max shutter speeds: 1/8000 of a second vs 1/8000 of a second
	Compare the Nikon D7000 vs the Olympus E-30
Nikon D5100 2 years newer $500 - $597 (body only) $600 - $697 18-55mm lens	Significant advantages of the D5100 (vs the E-30) Much lower noise at high ISO: 1,183 ISO vs 530 ISO Much better image quality: 80.0 vs 55.0 Better color depth: 23.5 bits vs 21.3 bits Significant disadvantages of the D5100 (vs the E-30) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Doesn't have a built-in focus motor Significantly less viewfinder coverage: 95% vs 98% common strengths of the D5100 and E-30 None found
	Compare the Nikon D5100 vs the Olympus E-30

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus E-30 compared to pro DSLR competitors include: it has image stabilization (sensor shift vs none), lets you preview your photos on the screen, slightly better viewfinder coverage (98% vs 96%), has a CMOS-family sensor (NMOS vs CCD) and is slightly lighter (665 g vs 860 g).

However, on average it has slightly lower image quality (55.0 vs 66.0), doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 30fps), has much less color depth (21.3 bits vs 22 bits), has significantly narrower dynamic range (10.4 EV vs 11.5 EV) and has a significantly smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0").

Canon EOS 50D similar age $1,200 - $1,282 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 50D (vs the E-30) Better color depth: 21.8 bits vs 21.3 bits Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Significant disadvantages of the 50D (vs the E-30) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Significantly less viewfinder coverage: 95% vs 98% Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds common strengths of the 50D and E-30 Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 142x108x75 mm Supports RAW Thin: 2.9" vs 3"
	Compare the Canon EOS 50D vs the Olympus E-30
Canon EOS 60D 1 year newer $848 - $1,304 (body only) $1,177 - $1,342 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 60D (vs the E-30) Better color depth: 22.2 bits vs 21.3 bits Much higher resolution screen: 1,040k dots vs 230k dots Significantly better image quality: 66.0 vs 55.0 Significant disadvantages of the 60D (vs the E-30) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds common strengths of the 60D and E-30 Fairly small: Professional size 145x106x79 mm vs Professional size 142x108x75 mm Supports RAW Light weight: 755 g vs 665 g
	Compare the Canon EOS 60D vs the Olympus E-30
Canon EOS 40D 1 year older $650 (body only)	Significant advantages of the 40D (vs the E-30) Better color depth: 22.1 bits vs 21.3 bits Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much more lenses available: 162 lenses vs 26 lenses Significant disadvantages of the 40D (vs the E-30) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Significantly less viewfinder coverage: 95% vs 98% Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds common strengths of the 40D and E-30 Fairly small: Professional size 146x108x74 mm vs Professional size 142x108x75 mm Supports RAW Thin: 2.9" vs 3"
	Compare the Canon EOS 40D vs the Olympus E-30
Canon EOS 7D 10 months newer $1,549 - $1,821 (body only) $1,590 - $1,849 18-135mm lens	Significant advantages of the 7D (vs the E-30) Better color depth: 22 bits vs 21.3 bits More dynamic range: 11.7 EV vs 10.4 EV Much higher resolution screen: 920k dots vs 230k dots Significant disadvantages of the 7D (vs the E-30) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Much shorter max exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds common strengths of the 7D and E-30 Fairly small: Professional size 148x111x74 mm vs Professional size 142x108x75 mm Supports RAW Thin: 2.9" vs 3"
	Compare the Canon EOS 7D vs the Olympus E-30
Nikon D200 3 years older $1,300 (body only)	Significant advantages of the D200 (vs the E-30) Better color depth: 22.3 bits vs 21.3 bits Faster autofocus: Phase detection vs Contrast detection Much more lenses available: 169 lenses vs 26 lenses Significant disadvantages of the D200 (vs the E-30) No live view No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Significantly smaller screen: 2.5" vs 2.7" common strengths of the D200 and E-30 Fairly small: Professional size 147x113x74 mm vs Professional size 142x108x75 mm Supports RAW Thin: 2.9" vs 3"
	Compare the Nikon D200 vs the Olympus E-30

Generally, some of the advantages of the Olympus E-30 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has higher quality type of viewfinder (pentaprism vs none), slightly larger viewfinder (0.51x vs 0.44x), has better image stabilization (sensor shift vs none) and has a faster max shutter speed (1/8000 of a second vs 1/4000 of a second).

However, on average it doesn't record movies (none vs 1080p @ 60fps), has a much smaller screen (2.7" vs 3.0"), has a slightly lower resolution screen (230k dots vs 610k dots), takes slightly lower resolution photos (12.2 MP vs 15.8 MP) and significantly lower maximum light sensitivity (3,200 ISO vs 12,800 ISO).

Olympus PEN E-P3 2 years newer $849 - $900 17mm lens	Significant advantages of the E-P3 (vs the E-30) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs None Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much smaller: Mid size 122x69x34 mm vs Professional size 142x108x75 mm Significant disadvantages of the E-P3 (vs the E-30) No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism Significantly slower max shutter speed: 1/4000 of a second vs 1/8000 of a second common strengths of the E-P3 and E-30 Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the PEN E-P3 vs the E-30
Olympus OM-D E-M5 3 years newer $1,000 - $1,299 (body only) $1,100 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the E-M5 (vs the E-30) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs None Weather sealed Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Significant disadvantages of the E-M5 (vs the E-30) Has a digital viewfinder: Digital vs Pentaprism No built-in flash Significantly slower max shutter speed: 1/4000 of a second vs 1/8000 of a second common strengths of the E-M5 and E-30 Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentaprism Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Sensor shift Above average viewfinder size: 0.44x vs 0.51x
	Compare the OM-D E-M5 vs the E-30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 1 year newer $849 - $997 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the DMC-GH2 (vs the E-30) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs None Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Video autofocus: Contrast detection vs None Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GH2 (vs the E-30) No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Has a digital viewfinder: Digital vs Pentaprism Significantly slower max shutter speed: 1/4000 of a second vs 1/8000 of a second common strengths of the DMC-GH2 and E-30 Viewfinders: Digital vs Pentaprism Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 vs the Olympus E-30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 3 years newer $643 - $1,125 (body only) $739 - $964 14-42mm lens	Significant advantages of the DMC-GX1 (vs the E-30) Shoots movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs None Much larger screen: 3.0" vs 2.7" Much smaller: Mid size 116x68x39 mm vs Professional size 142x108x75 mm Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GX1 (vs the E-30) No viewfinder: None vs Pentaprism No image stabilization: None vs Sensor shift Significantly slower max shutter speed: 1/4000 of a second vs 1/8000 of a second common strengths of the DMC-GX1 and E-30 Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds Each has a built-in flash
	Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Olympus E-30