Posted to Digital SLR 2009-08-16
If you are looking to upgrade from your "beginner" digital point-and-shoot camera to a camera with more powerful features, then you may want to check out the Olympus E-30. Offering the functionality of a DSLR with some features that could have been stolen right off your favorite point-and-shoot, the E-30 offers the power and performance that may just make it your go to camera for years to come. The E-30 is Olympus's attempt to fill the gap between its E-3 and E-620, a realm once populated solely by the D-90, 40D and 50D of its competitors. While most would assume that the E-30 is an upgraded version of its E-3, some may be surprised to find that the E-30 is simply a more user friendly version. Weighing in at 1.4lb empty, with a 270 degree swivel 2.7 inch HyperCrystal II LCD screen and offering the 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS sensor, the E-30 proves itself to be a competitor in the field of powerful mid-range Digital SLR's. Keep in mind that Olympus, like its competitors, currently offers the E-30 in two flavors, with lens or without. If you already own compatible 4/3 lens from an earlier camera then go for the body only, but if this is your first camera and you want to "play" all the features that it offers right out of the box, make sure to get the body with lens package.
FeaturesThe E-30 offers face detection that can recognize up to eight faces in one frame. A feature that once only existed on many of the digital point-and-shoots on the market has made its place in the D-SLR world. This feature will automatically focus and optimize exposure which results in sharp, quality pictures. The face detection is partnered with Olympus's shadow adjustment technology which adjusts the exposure in shadows and retains all the detail of the bright area. The shadow adjustment feature works automatically when face detection is activated. For the artistic one, Olympus offers the choice of six different art filters that can be applied to your photos while using the Autofocus Live View LCD. Choices like Pop Art, Soft Focus, Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film and Pin Hole camera allow you to take a standard image and give it your own special flair without the need of a computer or photo software. Olympus also offers the ability to shoot photos with a choice of different aspect ratios. The E-30 offers the standard 4:3 in addition to 16:9, 6:6, 3:2, 5:4, 7:6, 6:5, 7:5 and 3:4. Depending on the shot, this feature offers you greater versatility to help you add more of your personal style to your photos. Another great feature of the E-30 is its ability to handle multiple exposure shooting. PerformanceThe E-30 provides quality photos with good detail and excellent color, making it a true competitor with the comparable D-SLR's in its market. Where this camera lacks in performance is in the user friendliness of its menus. They tend to deceive the user into believing that certain menus offer the option to arrow over from one to the next when in reality you are forced to scroll through the entire list before you are able to shift to the next column. While its competitors require you to scroll through all the options, Olympus loses points by deceiving the user into believing that there is another navigation option when one does not exist. SummaryIn conclusion the Olympus E-30 is a great camera for users of all skill levels. A mid-rage D-SLR with the added features of photo software, the functionality of a point-and-shoot, and the high end functionality of an D-SLR, the E-30 is the best of both worlds. Whether you are a beginner looking to upgrade from your standard point-and-shoot or a professional looking for a camera that can offer a few special features that may not exist on any other D-SLR, then the Olympus E-30 may be the way to go. Pros
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