Sony DSLR-A350 vs Olympus E30

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony DSLR-A350 vs Olympus E30

Leave Feedback

APS-C 369.7mm²
14.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Sony DSLR-A350 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the DSLR-A350.

4/3 224.9mm²
12.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Olympus E30 Review.

Buy From

Differences

Sony DSLR-A350 advantages over Olympus E30

Less expensive
$900 vs $1299 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 5.16 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.
DSLR-A350 test data on DxO Mark E30 test data on DxO Mark

595 vs 530 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
DSLR-A350 test data on DxO Mark E30 test data on DxO Mark

11.5 vs 10.4 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
More pixels
14.2 vs 12.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos

Olympus E30 advantages over Sony DSLR-A350

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

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
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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-A350

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Olympus E30

Review Excerpt

Read our Sony DSLR-A350 Full Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A200

Sony DSLR-A350

Sony DSLR-A200

$900
APS-C

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

$470
APS-C

Less expensive
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Olympus E30

Sony DSLR-A200

$1299
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Top deck display

$470
APS-C

Larger sensor
Less expensive

Compare Olympus E30 vs Sony DSLR-A200

Compared to Sony DSLR-A300

Sony DSLR-A350

Sony DSLR-A300

$900
APS-C

Higher effective ISO
More pixels

$563
APS-C

Bigger pixels
Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 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-A350

Olympus E-520

$900
APS-C

Larger sensor
Tiltable Screen

$700
4/3

Less expensive
Longer exposure

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 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 Nikon D5000

Sony DSLR-A350

Nikon D5000

$900
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 vs Nikon D5000

Olympus E30

Nikon D5000

$1299
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Longer stills battery life

$850
APS-C

Lens selection
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus E30 vs Nikon D5000

Compared to Olympus E-5

Sony DSLR-A350

Olympus E-5

$900
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1700
4/3

Top deck display
More cross-type AF points

Compare Sony DSLR-A350 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?