Olympus E-30

Olympus E30 review, find out how the E30 stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.

The E-30 provides a level of control and features most professional level DSLRs would appreciate and at a great price too

The E-30 is the long-awaited high-end enthusiast model that fills the gap in the Olympus E-Series lineup between the E-520 and the ostensibly professional level E-3. Such is the pace of change in the digital camera market that the new model leapfrogs the E-3 by offering a higher pixel count (12MP), larger screen and improved contrast detect AF system - as well as introducing several novel features including a digital spirit level, multi exposures, aspect ratio options and a handful of built-in special image effects ('Art Filters' as Olympus calls them). It loses the E-3's class-leading weather sealing and has a slightly smaller optical viewfinder, but otherwise offers almost exactly the same features and performance in a slightly lighter, very slightly smaller and - at launch - similarly priced body.

To sit happily with the company’s flagship and much higher-priced DSLR the Olympus E-30 had to forgo a few bells and whistles — but then it added a few that should delight photographers with high ambitions but little skill. The Olympus E-30 has 12.3 million pixels on its Live MOS sensor — two megapixels and

The E-30 is the long-awaited high-end enthusiast model that fills the gap in the Olympus E-Series lineup between the E-520 and the ostensibly professional level E-3. Such is the pace of change in the digital camera market that the new model leapfrogs the E-3 by offering a higher pixel count (12MP), larger screen and improved contrast detect AF system - as well as introducing several novel features including a digital spirit level, multi exposures, aspect ratio options and a handful of built-in special image effects ('Art Filters' as Olympus calls them). It loses the E-3's class-leading weather sealing and has a slightly smaller optical viewfinder, but otherwise offers almost exactly the same features and performance in a slightly lighter, very slightly smaller and - at launch - similarly priced body.

Expert reviews of all the latest cameras, lenses, smartphones and accessories, since 2003.

The new 12.3-megapixel Olympus E-30 is closer to their flagship 10.1-megapixel E-3 than their consumer-level E-520.

A feature-rich Four Thirds System DSLR for photo enthusiasts.Designed for photo enthusiasts and amateur photographers who want a more sophisticated camera, the new Olympus E-30 is the first in a series of 'double-digit' models that will slot in between the 'three-digit' entry-level models and the professional 'single-digit' camera. The new camera's 12.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor replaces the 10-megapixel imager currently used across the company's DSLR range. The E-30 also features a new image processor.

A great digital SLR camera for anyone who wants to make the leap from a compact camera.

While some may consider the Four Thirds system (www.four-thirds.org) to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the D-SLR world, there is no doubt it has enabled Olympus to produce a series of cameras that represent one of, if not, the best pixel per dollar value today. All that is combined with a build quality that on a model-to-model basis is superior to its competition, especially at the entry-level end of the D-SLR spectrum.

Serious mid-range player or a bit of a gimmick?

Olympus E-30

What Digital Camera test review of the Olympus E30

Olympus E-30 is a 12.0MP Advanced DSLR camera with a Four Thirds sized CMOS sensor and Four Thirds mount. Read our E-30 review to find its pros and cons.