Olympus E-30 Review

Olympus DSLRs keep getting better, and the E-30 is undoubtedly the best yet. Despite only twelve months gap between them the E-30 is a considerably more appealing camera than the E-3 (which, thanks to its tank-like construction, still sits above it in the range). This isn't because the image quality is better (which at lower ISO settings it arguably is - certainly it has more highlight dynamic range and a touch more resolution), but because it's just so much nicer to use. The controls just feel like they're in the right place, and it handles as well as anything in this class - and a lot better than some.

The E-30 is also packed to bursting with features; some (in-body IS, articulated screen) you'll appreciate every day, others (live view magnification that actually shows something useful, digital 'spirit level') that will prove more useful to some than others, and a lot (Art Filters, Multiple Exposures, wacky Aspect Ratio options) that veer dangerously close to novelty status, especially on a camera at this level. That's not to say they won't be appealing - or useful - to many people (some of the Art Filters are actually pretty cool and produce formulaic but not tasteless results), but we're not sure just how much value they bring to a product that's priced to compete with the semi-pro models from Canon, Nikon et al.

But let's not allow Art Filters and other fripperies to distract us from the fact that there is much to like about the E-30 - far more than there is to complain about. It has a superb set of photographic controls that make the bit that matters - taking pictures - enjoyable, fluid and intuitive. The differences are small, but compared to the E-3, which I often felt 'got in the way' of the picture taking process and sometimes left you feeling clumsy, using the E-30 felt like slipping on a well worn glove, and everything I needed was exactly where it should be.

Simon Joinson, Richard Butler & Lars Rehm

Read more : dpreview