Canon EOS 30D Vs. Olympus EVOLT E-510
To show you just how far and how fast technology improves, compare the Canon EOS 30D--a "prosumer"-consumer digital single-lens reflex (D-SLR) camera with professional capabilities--released in 2006 to the Olympus EVOLT E-510--a mid-range D-SLR--released in 2007. In just one year, Olympus closed the gap between its mid-range cameras and Canon's higher-end D-SLRs.
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Megapixels
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The number of megapixels a camera has relates directly to the size of print you can make--the more megapixels available, the larger the photo that can be printed without lessening the quality of a photo. The E-510 has 10 megapixels compared with the 30D and its 8.2 megapixels, making both cameras capable of printing large, high-quality photos. In a 2008 digital camera buyer's guide, Target recommends using a camera with at least 6 megapixels for 8-by-10-inch prints or larger or for smaller photos with very fine details.
LCD
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The LCD on a D-SLR serves a number of important functions-reviewing your photos, setting and reviewing your camera's settings and, on some cameras, using the screen rather than the viewfinder to line up your photos in a live view function. Both the 30D and the E-510 have 2.5-inch screens with 230,000 pixels. The E-510 has the live view function, while the 30D does not.
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Continuous Shooting
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A D-SLR's ability to shoot a lot of photos in a short amount of time is one major feature that separates them from point-and-shoot cameras and is ideal for fast-moving subjects like children, animals and sports. Both the 30D and the E-510 can shoot up to 3 frames per second. The two cameras differ in the number of photos they can shoot in a single burst, however. The 30D can shoot up to 30 consecutive JPEGs, whereas the E-510 can shoot until its memory card is full.
Batteries
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Because they have so many powerful functions, D-SLRs use a lot of power and need something more long-lasting than the AA batteries that power some point-and-shoot cameras. Both the 30D and the E-510 are supplied with their own rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack. The 30D's battery pack--the BP-511A--can shoot up to 1,100 photos between charges if used in mild temperatures and if little or no flash is used and the LCD is used sparingly. Under those same conditions the E-510's battery pack--the BLM-1--can shoot up to 650 photos between charges.
Size
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If you are looking for a camera that can fit easily in your pocket, a D-SLR is not your best option. Because of their more powerful functions, both the 30D and the E-510 are a lot bigger than point-and-shoot cameras. The 30D is 5.7 inches wide, 4.2 inches high, 2.9 inches deep and weighs 24.7 ounces. The E-510 is 5.35 inches wide, 3.6 inches high, 2.67 inches deep and weighs 16.6 ounces.
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