Olympus E30 vs Canon T3

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Olympus E30 vs Canon T3

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4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Olympus E30 Review.

APS-C 323.4mm²
12.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Canon T3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the T3.

Succeeded by the Canon T5
Compare T3 vs T5
Compare Olympus E30 vs Canon T5

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Differences

Olympus E30 advantages over Canon T3

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
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Pentaprism viewfinder
Pentaprism vs Pentamirror
Much better viewfinder picture fidelity
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon T3 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.
Less expensive
$600 vs $1299 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Bigger pixels
~ 5.15 vs 4.29 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
T3 test data on DxO Mark E30 test data on DxO Mark

755 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
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
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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Buy the Olympus E30

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Buy the Canon T3

Kit with 18-55mm lens

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Olympus E30, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Olympus E30 First Shots

Well-considered ergonomics and control layout; Solid build; Good image quality; Great battery life; High-def movie capture.
Frame rate and burst depth not the best, especially for raw; Weak flash for an SLR; No sensor cleaning function; No spot metering.
Read our Canon T3 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to 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

Canon T3

Olympus E-520

$199
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$700
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Less shutter lag

Compare Canon T3 vs Olympus E-520

Compared to Olympus E-620

Olympus E30

Olympus E-620

$1299
4/3

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

$800
4/3

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Olympus E30 vs Olympus E-620

Canon T3

Olympus E-620

$199
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$800
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon T3 vs Olympus E-620

Compared to Nikon D3100

Olympus E30

Nikon D3100

$1299
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

$700
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E30 vs Nikon D3100

Canon T3

Nikon D3100

$199
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Canon T3 vs Nikon D3100

Compared to 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

Canon T3

Olympus E-5

$199
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

$1700
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Tiltable Screen

Compare Canon T3 vs Olympus E-5

Compared to Sony A37

Olympus E30

Sony A37

$1299
4/3

Longer stills battery life
Top deck display

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Olympus E30 vs Sony A37

Canon T3

Sony A37

$199
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$600
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Canon T3 vs Sony A37

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