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

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSLR-A200 advantages over Olympus E30

  • 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
    ~ 6.12 vs 4.29 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)

Olympus E30 advantages over Sony DSLR-A200

  • 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
  • More pixels
    12.3 vs 10.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Neither provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony DSLR-A200

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E30

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Sony DSLR-A200
Pentax K200D
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Pentax K200D

Olympus E30
Pentax K200D
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E30 vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Nikon D60

Sony DSLR-A200
Nikon D60
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Nikon D60

Olympus E30
Nikon D60
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E30 vs Nikon D60

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A200
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Olympus E30
Sony DSLR-A300
  • $1299
  • 4/3
  • Top deck display
  • Pentaprism viewfinder
  • $563
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive

Compare Olympus E30 vs Sony DSLR-A300

Compared to Olympus E-520

Sony DSLR-A200
Olympus E-520
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Longer exposure
  • Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 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 Olympus E-5

Sony DSLR-A200
Olympus E-5
  • $470
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1700
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony DSLR-A200 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

Compare Other Cameras?