Handling & ease of use:
The size and shape of this advanced-level DSLR is quite different to the more compact consumer-level Olympus models. As you'll discover, the control layout is a departure from the more recent Olympus DSLRs too. The E-30 looks like a camera designed with serious photography in mind, and picking it up, it feels like one too. The E-30 is a solid bit of kit that has a nicely shaped and well-sized handgrip, making the camera very easy to hold one-handed. At 655 grams (1,080g with the 14-54mm standard zoom) it's not too heavy either. There is the option to attach an additional power grip (HLD-4) should you wish, but for most users, I think the standard kit handles well enough as it is.
Olympus has certainly endeavoured to put as much on the body as possible, with a selection of buttons on the top and several more on the rear. The top-plate boasts an exposure dial on the left and a decent information LCD panel on the right side. While the 2.7in LCD monitor may be slightly smaller than the 3in screens that are becoming more commonplace, the E-30 plays an ace card by having its LCD on a swivel-mounted system that allows you to set it to countless positions. This is ideal for Live View shooting at low-angles in particular, or for shooting over the top of crowds. The on-screen menu system is easy to navigate, and the information screen is extremely comprehensive as well.
The sheer number of buttons on the E-30 means that it isn't the best choice as a first DSLR, but then again, it's not meant to be. 
This model is aimed at more advanced photographers who know their way around a camera, so ease of use isn't as high a priority as it would be with an entry-level camera. That said, even as an experienced photographer, I initially had some trouble finding certain features without the aid of an instruction book. Once you do work out the layout, it becomes easier, but a simpler control system would have improved the handling of the E-30.
The viewfinder of the Olympus is very good, offering a very large, clear screen, with thick black markings for the AF points and spot meter circle, and exposure information running below the image area.
Overall, the Olympus handles extremely well and is built for serious use. It's just a shame that the controls aren't set up to be a little easier to use.

Features:
The Olympus E-30 is the first in the E-series to offer a resolution of more than ten megapixels. Its 12.3-million pixel LMOS sensor puts it on a par in terms of pixel count with the likes of the Nikon D300 and Sony Alpha 700, although it's slightly lower than the pixel count of its other main rival, the 15.1-megapixel Canon EOS 50D.
As you'll discover, there isn't much missing in the specification, as Olympus has really tried to produce a camera that can tempt people away from the other brands, including innovations like the swivel-mounted LCD.
There is a full complement of exposure modes on offer, including a number of subject-biased programs. Also selected via the mode dial is a set of art filters (pinhole, pop art etc) that Olympus hopes will appeal to those looking for features that may allow them to be more creative with their camera (see Art Filters panel for details). The metering system is comprehensive, with a choice of a 49-zone pattern, spot (2%) and centre-weighted average. There are also options for highlight- or shadow-based spot readings, as well as the standard set of overrides, like exposure compensation and AE-Lock.
Autofocus is handled by an 11-point system that covers a large proportion of the frame, with the usual option of setting single-shot AF or continuous focus. Using the controls on the rear, you can have all points active or choose an individual point. You can also set the AF to use a selection of four or five AF points in a particular area of the frame, offering more precise control over focusing. The Olympus also offers a Face Detection system that automatically detects a person in the frame, while if you activate Live View, the AF uses contrast-detection to lock-on to the subject.
The TruePic III+ image processor, which plays a vital role in the quality of the image, including colour reproduction and sharpness, is also responsible for processing images when using the Art Filters. Despite the high resolution, the TruePic III+ chip is powerful enough to process images at up to five frames-per-second. An integral flashgun pops up automatically, or can be manually raised, depending on the exposure mode selected, and provides a wide range of modes. Fit a dedicated hotshoe-mounted flashgun and extra facilities are available, including being able to increase the flash sync speed of 1/250sec to any speed up to 1/8000sec.
Image stabilisation has become a must-have feature for many photographers and the E-30 offers a body-integral system that is claimed to offer a benefit of up to five-stops. The Olympus also features a Supersonic Wave Filter for minimising the risk of dust particles settling on the sensor by shaking them off.
 The Olympus E-30 has pretty much all the modes and functions an enthusiast needs, as well as a number of unusual and innovative functions that offer something that's a little different to try.

Performance:
Having used the E-30 for close to a fortnight, I'm in no doubt that this camera offers great potential as a serious picture-taking tool. It's very different to the Olympus consumer models, like the E-520, not only in terms of its size, but in its operation and extent of features.
As previously mentioned, the controls aren't as logical as they could be, but once you do get used to its operation, you'lI find that the E-30 has a lot to offer. The large viewfinder is a real bonus to use and the secondary option – using Live View – is made all the better by the useful swivel-action of the LCD monitor.
There is certainly no shortage of features and options available to you, and once you've made your choice, you'll find the E-30 delivers consistent results. The AF system is very fast and responsive and does a good job with demanding situations like focusing on moving subjects or in low-light. The 49-zone metering system is excellent – only backlit subjects cause it problems. The integral flash provides a nice balance of fill-in when used in daylight and flash exposures in low light are excellent.
As with all tests, the colour parameters were left in Natural for the most part and this setting proved excellent for general use and portraits, with the other options (Vivid, etc.) offering options that you may want to try in-camera. The Art Filters take in-camera image processing a little further and the results we produced were interesting – only time will show how popular they prove to be, but credit to Olympus for trying something different.
The Olympus ZUIKO range of lenses has always generally produced excellent sharpness and the supplied 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II zoom provides very sharp results when combined with the 12.3-megapixel sensor. In terms of detail, its easily on a par with rivals.
Another area where the E-30 impressed was its general speed. It rattles through a sequence of frames with ease and, apart from when processing images taken using an Art Filter, rarely leaves you waiting for the buffer to clear. Overall, it's a great DSLR to use.

VIEWFINDER
The screen is larger than most and offers a very respectable 98% frame coverage plus a high 1.02x magnification.
2.7IN FREE-ANGLE LCD
Don't dismiss the swivel mount as a gimmick – being able to adjust the position of the LCD screen has its uses, in particular when using Live View to shoot at awkward angles. Its 230,000 pixel screen isn't as sharp as the likes of the Nikon D300, but is very good nonetheless.

MULTI-ASPECT RATIOS
As well as shooting in the standard 4:3 image format, the E-30 allows you to set eight other format shapes, including 16:9, 5:4 and 6:6.

TEST VERDICT
The Olympus E-30 is a very capable DSLR and a great choice if a wide range of features is at the top of your wants list. As you can see from the comparison table, its specification compares favourably with many of its main rivals. The Art Filters are an unusual addition – it will be interesting to see if it becomes a strong selling point for the E-30 – and I'd not be surprised to see this feature appear on consumer-level models in the future. In terms of handling, there's no question it's well made, but the control set-up could have been a little better, as it's not as straightforward as the likes of the Nikon D300 to use. Image quality is very good, with shots showing good sharpness and natural colours – skin tones are smooth and subtle changes are evident, so it's a good choice for portraits. Noise is better controlled than on previous models and only becomes prominent at ISO 1000 and above. Overall, a very good package and well worth consideration, although it has to said that it is up against some very tough competition.

HANDLING & EASE OF USE: 20/25
FEATURES: 23/25
PERFORMANCE: 23/25
VALUE FOR MONEY: 21/25
OVERALL: 87/100

Model: OLYMPUS E-30
contact: 01923 831100, WWW.OLYMPUS.CO.UK
Guide Price (RRP): £850 (BODY ONLY)
 Sensor type: LMOS (FULL-FRAME FOUR THIRDS)
Resolution (effective pixels): 12.3
Max. image resolution (pixels): 4032X3024
Focal length increase: 2x
Number of AF points: 11
Multi-zone metering zones: 49
ISO rating: 100-3200
Card format: CF & XD
Raw + JPEG: Yes
Shutter speedS: 1/8000sec-60sec+Bulb
Flash sync: 1/200
Shake reduction: YES
Dust reduction: Yes
Continuous frame rate: 5fps
LCD monitor: 2.7in
POWER SOURCE: Lithium-ion
Size (MM): 141x107.5x75
Weight (grams): 665
Website: www.olympus.co.uk