New enthusiasts DSLR features novel 3D orientation sensor

Until now, the Olympus Four Thirds platform DSLR line up included the E-420 and E-520, competing for the budget-conscious photographer, and the E-3, a semi-professional model. Today's announcement of the E-30, which is scheduled to be available early in January 2009, plugs the gap between the E-520 and E-3.

To go with the new E-30 is a revised old favourite from the Olympus Digital Zuiko lens range, the 14-54 f/2.8-3.5 II. This is a premium quality, splash-proof, standard zoom with a focal length range equivalent to 28-108mm. It's optically identical to the original version, but has a new focus motor to make it compatible with full time live view AF. It's also the natural standard zoom for the E-30.

The E-30 certainly has some interesting tricks, including a three dimensional orientation sensor, or digital level, and an Art Filter feature that can aid creativity when composing scenes using Live View.

The new Olympus E-30 is aimed squarely at Olympus fans who can't justify the expense of an E-3

We have a detailed E-30 analysis article over at or Four Thirds User site. But here is a brief summary of what the E-30 offers:

12 megapixel Live MOS sensor, with integrated SSWF dust protection.
Moving sensor image stabilisation, up to 5-stop headroom extension (ideal conditions measured by Olympus)
Three dimensional camera orientation sensor, or digital level for vertical and horizontal framing alignment
Full time live view AF with selected Four Thirds lenses, including face recognition
Live view Art filters and multiple exposure (4 frames) facility
2.7 inch fully articulated live view LCD screen, 230,000 dots (77,000 pixels)
Top plate status LCD
1/8000th second top shutter speed, 1/250th flash sync.
External white balance sensor
11-point cross-type AF system
5 frames per second continuous shooting with support for UDMA memory cards
Large view tilted pentaprism reflex viewfinder with 95% frame coverage
Compatibility with optional HLD-4 power grip (same grip as the E-3)
Front and rear command dials
Built in pop-up flash which acts as master for Olympus R-series wireless remote flash units (four channels).

The E-30 isn't splash proofed like the next model up, the E-3, and nor does it have the super-strong Thixo magnesium alloy chassis of the E-3. The lack of a super hi-resolution LCD will be debated by Olympus fans, as will be the standard plastic chassis construction. But the E-30 does borrow many of the best features of the E-520 and the E-3, as well as throw a few exclusives in of its own.

UK pricing has not been decided at the time of writing, though in the US the E-30 has been tagged at $1299, with the Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II priced $599. The E-30 guide price brings the E-30 about $200 under current discount prices for an E-3 body, though we can probably expect additional discounting on the E-30 when it goes on sale in January.

For more on the E-30, read the analysis feature over at Four Thirds User.

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Olympus plugs gap with new E-30 Four Thirds DSLR

DPNow Olympus plugs gap with new E-30 Four Thirds DSLR
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