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6. Visuals - Views of the Camera
Here are some images of the E-30 together with the Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II lens with selected views of some close- up feature details:
Image 9, Image provided by Olympus Imaging Corporation, Japan, 2008. The E-30 takes on the appearance of a trimmed down E-3 in many ways, adopting also the same form factor, a departure from the more radical shaped E-1. Apart from the chrome and blue insignia rings near the front, the 14-54mm Mk. II is identical in looks, feel and weight to its predecessor with only other telltale sign being the ‘II’ indication on the lens plaque. Some things borrowed from the E-510/520 are the IR receptor placed at the lower front of the handgrip and the fact that the pop-up flash release is fully electronic, meaning it cannot pop up unless the E-30 is powered on, as well as the chrome-finished shutter release button. From the E-3 come items like the external WB sensor to the left of the handgrip, the depth of field preview button, the external flash sync socket, the secondary LCD panel and the flash release button amongst others. Unique to the E-30 is easily the exposure mode dial seated at the top and to the left of the pentaprism. No other E-series DSLR features this.
Image 10, © Copyright Khen Lim, Zone-10. All Rights Reserved 2009.
This view shows part of the E-30’s baseplate where the battery compartment is. Notice the robust locking lever for the compartment door. Interestingly, the direction labels to lock and unlock the compartment door are actually reversed!
Image 11, © Copyright Khen Lim, Zone-10. All Rights Reserved 2009. From this close-up view, you can see the crackle faux leatherette texture found abundantly throughout the E-30 as well as the front positioned sub-dial including the external WB and IR sensors (partly shown). The E-30’s handgrip is comfortable and quite grippy to hold and the sub-dial is easy to reach and use.
Image 12, © Copyright Khen Lim, Zone-10. All Rights Reserved 2009. The heavily indented ISO and Exp Comp buttons are typically E-3 in style. Both are designed as such so that you can feel your way without removing your eye from the viewfinder. Smallish hands might find it a little tough to get to the WB button but time and practice will address that. Notice also the relatively close positioning of the shutter release button and the sub-dial for ergonomic reasons.
Image 13, © Copyright Khen Lim, Zone-10. All Rights Reserved 2009. Sight unseen, the E-30’s depth of field preview button is actually very handy. Tucked lowly between the lens mount and the handgrip, it is easy to get at with either the left or right hand finger.
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