The Olympus E-30 is the newest addition to the interchangeable-lens digital SLRs (single lens reflex) within the Olympus E-System lineup. This new 12.3-megapixel, FourThirds-compliant camera reinforces the company's commitment to the standard. Positioned as a mid-level model, this new digital SLR camera is intended for anyone who wants to express their creativity through photography, whether they are just starting out or are a professional with years of experience behind them. The E-30 is a camera that has the speed of the E-3 and the freedom to express oneself with a variety of new creative features, from Art Filters that will let you control the way the image looks from a grainy black and white film to exaggerated colors. From the ability to shoot traditional multiple exposures in Live View for a wedding photographer, to the untraditional multiple exposure of the artistic, the E-30 is the camera for the creative shooter who wants to think differently and shoot in new ways.

Technical Details

-12.3-megapixel Live MOS imager for photo-quality prints up to 30 x 40 inches
-Body only; lenses sold separately
-6 Art Filters; enjoy photographs that ordinarily require the use of special lenses, add-on filters, or the use of complex processing techniques
-270-degree Swivel 2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD; Autofocus Live View with Face Detection
-Dual card slot; compatible with UDMA-Type I, Type II, MicroDrive and xD Media Cards (not included)
See more technical details

 "Excellent camera for pro or advanced amateur..." 2010-07-09
By davemo
I love this camera. I purchased it as an upgrade from the E-510. I have been using Olympus cameras for about five years now, and am consistently impressed with their quality of build and quality of the images. I use a mix of Olympus and Sigma lenses. The customization that Olympus cameras afford is out of control. You can fine tune each focus point for a number of lenses, at different focal lengths!!! Although this is a very advanced feature that I'm sure very few people use. The only thing missing on Olympus cameras now is HD video. When they are through with upgrading the Pen series, I'm sure that they will put it on their next DSLR camera. I highly recommend this camera for anyone.


 "Love it!!" 2010-06-03
By Dan (Maine, USA)
I struggled with making this upgrade, but found another customers review helpful in choosing the E-30 as an upgrade from my E-510, which I have had for years.

I was using this camera with no issues same day. There was very little learning curve or transition time required from the E-510. I have used all of the art filters and have been pleased with the results. There are several functions and features that are big upgrades from the E-510 which I look forward to using.

My first impression has been great. I am very impressed. This camera is a great choice to upgrade to from a E-4xx or E-5xx.


 "Olympus E-30 12.3mp" 2010-05-26
By FGTS (Monterey, CA. USA)
I've read many reviews on this product all showing mixed results. The 4/3 sensor is small and can make a noisy picture if compared against a larger or full frame sensor camera.The Olympus E-30 takes some practice to get the right formulation unlike a point and shoot. I have captured great photos with the Olympus E-30 using the 35-100mm F2 Zuiko lens. The noise level can be high if a person doesn't fully understand the multiple functions on the Gradation and ISO settings. I would suggest using RAW for develop process.
The construction is good, function menu easy to follow the flip screen is helpful in live view mode. The "ART" settings are gimmicky but could be fun for some.


 "Great Camera for Pro or Enthusiast" 2010-05-21
By Gerald W. Baynton Jr. (St Louis, MO)
There is almost no genre this camera can't handle. From Macro to Landscapes, I get the same dependable performance. The only drawback is the noise I get at higher ISO settings. Even this looks more like grain than noise and can pretty much be taken care of with post production software.

I thought at first the Art Filters were kind of gimmicky, but I actually find myself using them here and there. We all come across those shot that sometimes looks like a Pinhole filter would look great. With that being said, I wish I could use the filters in other modes, not just the Auto. There is a work around if you shoot in RAW, you can apply the filters to any photo in the free software that comes with the camera.

I love the swivel LCD used with "Live Mode". I am able to set my camera on the ground or at very high and odd angles and frame the shot before exposure. This would be almost impossible with out a step ladder or getting my face in the dirt.

I would recommend this camera to anyone; Pro or Enthusiast. I would also recommend the Olympus 12-60mm F/2.8 Lens as a perfect companion for the E-30 and the Olympus 50mm f/2.0 for a great portrait and Macro lens.


 "An excellent addition to the 4/3rd family." 2010-02-05
By I. Davis (oakland, ca)
I originally purchased this camera to go alongside my E-3. With the increase in work I've been getting I wanted to have 2 cameras to bring to jobs. After spending a good deal of time with my E-30 it has actually become my main camera. I prefer its ergonomics over the E-3. I much prefer the high iso noise performance of the E-30 over the E-3. It is not that the camera produces less noise, it is that the noise cleans up extremely well (in a program such as the Lightroom 3 beta). I feel that there is also sharper images coming from the E-30 (slightly).

I know that Olympus is marketing this camera for the "Art Filters" but I never use those personally. I mainly shoot in RAW and process my images through Lightroom with Nik Software plug-ins. I think that if you prefer to shoot in jpeg and would like to bypass using software such as photoshop, then the art filters would be an excellent choice to use.

Overall I am very happy with this camera. If I am going to a job which I feel will require more than one camera (wedding for example), I will bring both the E-30 and E-3. If the weather is bad, I will definitely use the E-3. For everything else I would prefer to use the E-30.


Read more Olympus E30 12.3MP Digital SLR with Image Stabilization (Body Only)

Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras
Olympus BLM-01 Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery for C7070, C8080, E1, E300 & E500 Digital Cameras
Olympus HLD-4 POWER BATTERY HOLDER E-3
Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 ED Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Standard Four Thirds Digital SLR Cameras
Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II AF Zuiko Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras