• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 226.2mm2
  • 20.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

Buy From

Differences

Canon SX30 IS advantages over Olympus E-M1 II

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Olympus E-M1 II advantages over Canon SX30 IS

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.36 vs 1.43 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (DCI) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Thinner
    68 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    8 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.11 vs 0.58 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    20.4 vs 14.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.6 fps vs 1.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/3200 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon SX30 IS

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E-M1 II
Body Only (Black)
All E-M1 II Deals

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent image quality; Very good dynamic range & high ISO performance; Fantastic C-AF performance; Incredible burst rates, even with RAW; 4K UHD & Cinema 4K (DCI) video; Clean HDMI; Dual SD card slots.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash.

  • Read our Olympus E-M1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Fujifilm X-T2

Canon SX30 IS
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Internal flash
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Fujifilm X-T2

Olympus E-M1 II
Fujifilm X-T2
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Fujifilm X-T2

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX100V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Wider angle lens
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX100V

Olympus E-M1 II
Sony HX100V
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Internal flash

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Canon SX40 HS

Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX40 HS
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS

Olympus E-M1 II
Canon SX40 HS
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Higher max flash sync

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Canon SX40 HS

Compared to Sony HX200V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX200V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Wider angle lens
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX200V

Olympus E-M1 II
Sony HX200V
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony HX200V

Compared to Panasonic G7

Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic G7
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic G7

Olympus E-M1 II
Panasonic G7
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Olympus E-M1 II vs Panasonic G7

Compare Other Cameras?