Olympus E-30

	Olympus E-30 versus Canon Rebel XS Comparison Summary
• The XS is less than half the price of the E-30, but generally offers better performance • The XS has much lower build quality and far fewer controls • Both aimed at new users, but the E-30 also includes many scene and art modes • While the Rebel XS may not have as many controls or modes, in terms of bang for your buck, it's impressive
	Canon 50D Comparison	Page 16 of 19	Pentax K2000 Comparison

	Comparison Specifications
	Olympus E-30	Canon Rebel XS
Price	$1299.99 (body only)	$599.99 (with 18-55mm lens)
Dimensions	5.6 in/141.5 mm (W) x 4.23 in/107.5mm (H) x 2.95 in/75 mm (D), 23.1 oz/655g	4.96 x 3.8 x 2.4 in./126.1 x 97.5 x 61.9mm 15.9 oz./ 450g
Resolution	12.3-megapixels	10.1-megapixels
Processor	TruePic III+ Image Processor	DIGIC III
Sensor size/type	Four Thirds, 17.3 mm (H) x 13.0 mm (V)	22.2mm x 14.8mm
Kit Lens	No	18-55mm IS lens
Viewfinder	98% field of view, 1.02x magnification	95% field of view, 0.81x magnification
LCD	230,000 pixel, 2.7 inch articulated LCD	230,000 pixel, 2.5 inch LCD
Live View	Manual focus Autofocus: High speed imager AF, Phase-difference detection AF	Manual focus Autofocus: (Quick mode, Live mode)
Shutter Speed	60 - 1/8000 sec, bulb up to 30 minutes	1/4000 sec. to 30 sec., bulb
Burst Speed	1-5 frames per second	Approx 3 shots per second
Autofocus	TTL phase-difference detection system, 11 points	TTL secondary image-registration, phase detection, 7 points
Exposure Compensation	±5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps	±3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
Noise Reduction	High ISO (three levels), Long Exposure	High ISO (one level), Long Exposure
ISO range	ISO 100-3200 in 1/3 or 1 EV	ISO 100-1600 in 1/3 or 1/2 EV
Flash	Retractable flash, GN=18 @ISO200, (GN=13 @ISO 100.m)	Retractable, auto pop-up flash
Media Format	JPEG, RAW	JPEG, RAW
Movie Mode	No	No
Media Type	CF (UDMA compatible), xD	SD, SDHC
Connections	Proprietary USB, DC in	USB, Video out, Remote
Other Hardware	No	No

Performance
When a $600 entry-level SLR outperforms one twice its price, you know that something is amiss. The Rebel performs much better in long exposure, white balance and startup time, though not as well in resolution or shot to shot bursts. There's a fairly decent chance that the stabilization on the E-30 is better, as it performed extremely well in that test, but we don't have IS data on the Rebel yet.

Components
The E-30 has a much higher quality of components than the Canon Rebel XS, which can feel a bit toy-like at times. It's light, made of low quality plastic, and has relatively fragile-feeling buttons. The XS has an inferior viewfinder, smaller LCD, doesn't have a secondary monochrome LCD on top, and has only the one control dial.

Handling
No question here, the E-30 handles much better than the Canon, with a wider array of buttons and a more comfortable weight. The extra heft makes for a more solid feel, as well as keeping camera shake down. It has a bigger grip, more robust material, and the controls are more directly accessible, rather than relying on the menu system.

Controls
The Olympus has a wider array of controls than the relatively simple Canon XS, which is very limited in what it can do, (though the functions the XS does provide, it handles quite well). The E-30 shoots faster, has a wider variety of exposure compensation, bracketing, white balance controls, ISO range, and just about everything else you can think of. But for all of that, when it comes down to the bare basics, the Rebel XS takes good photos at a much lower price than the E-30, and all the fancy Art Filters can be replicated in post-processing if need be.

	ISO Examples
	Olympus E-30	Canon Rebel XS
ISO 100
	Olympus E-30	Canon Rebel XS
ISO 200
	Olympus E-30	Canon Rebel XS
ISO 400
	Olympus E-30	Canon Rebel XS
ISO 800
	Olympus E-30	Canon Rebel XS
ISO 1600
	Olympus E-30	Canon Rebel XS
ISO 3200		Not Available

 This section of the review was updated with revised results and scores on July 15, 2009. These changes did not affect the relative ratings of the reviewed cameras.

Canon 50D Comparison	Page 15 of 18		Pentax K2000 Comparison
Olympus E-30 Digital Camera Review Navigation
Intro	Product Tour	Color	Noise
Resolution	White Balance	Sample Photos	Playback
Hardware	Controls	Design & Handling	Speed & Timing
Nikon D90 Comparison	Canon 50D Comparison	Canon Rebel XS Comp	Pentax K2000 Comparison
Conclusion	Specs & Ratings