• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 15.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 3200

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Differences

Canon 50D advantages over Olympus E30

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.99 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Higher effective ISO
    696 vs 530 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.59x vs 0.51x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    15.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Olympus E30 advantages over Canon 50D

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
    Both provide
    Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Canon 50D
Samsung GX-20
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • HDMI out
  • More dots on screen
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Samsung GX-20

Olympus E30
Samsung GX-20
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E30 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Olympus E-520

Canon 50D
Olympus E-520
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Olympus E-520

Olympus E30
Olympus E-520
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Top deck display
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus E30 vs Olympus E-520

Compared to Pentax K-7

Canon 50D
Pentax K-7
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Pentax K-7

Olympus E30
Pentax K-7
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E30 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Canon 50D
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon 50D vs Sony DSLR-A550

Olympus E30
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Top deck display
  • Higher max flash sync
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E30 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Olympus E-5

Canon 50D
Olympus E-5
  • $1000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon 50D vs Olympus E-5

Olympus E30
Olympus E-5
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Olympus E30 vs Olympus E-5

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