Nikon D2H vs Olympus E-330

The Nikon D2H and the Olympus Evolt E-330 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in July 2003 and January 2006. Both are DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras that are based on an APS-C (D2H) and a Four Thirds (E-330) sensor. The Nikon has a resolution of 4 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 7.4 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Nikon D2H		Olympus E-330
Digital single lens reflex		Digital single lens reflex
Nikon F mount lenses		Four Thirds lenses
4 MP – APS-C sensor		7.4 MP – Four Thirds sensor
no Video		no Video
ISO 200-1,600 (200 - 6,400)		ISO 100-400 (100 - 1,600)
Optical viewfinder		Optical viewfinder
2.5" LCD – 211k dots		2.5" LCD – 215k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Tilting screen (no touchscreen)
8 shutter flaps per second		3 shutter flaps per second
Weathersealed body		not weather sealed
2900 shots per battery charge		750 shots per battery charge
158 x 150 x 86 mm, 1070 g		140 x 87 x 72 mm, 637 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Nikon D2H and the Olympus Evolt E-330? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Nikon D2H and the Olympus E-330 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus E-330 is considerably smaller (49 percent) than the Nikon D2H. Moreover, the E-330 is substantially lighter (40 percent) than the D2H. It is worth mentioning in this context that the D2H is splash and dust resistant, while the E-330 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Nikon Lens Catalog (D2H) and the Four Thirds Lens Catalog (E-330).

Concerning battery life, the D2H gets 2900 shots out of its Nikon EN-EL4a battery, while the E-330 can take 750 images on a single charge of its Olympus BLM-1 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the D2H has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. In order to provide similar functionality for the E-330, there are third party battery grips available as optional accessories (see here on ebay).

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you would like to visualize and compare a different camera combination, you can navigate to the CAM-parator app and make your selection from a broad list of cameras there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Nikon D2H	158 mm	150 mm	86 mm	1070 g	2900	Y	Jul 2003	US$ 3 499	ebay.com
2.		Olympus E-330	140 mm	87 mm	72 mm	637 g	750	n	Jan 2006	US$ 999	ebay.com
3.		Canon XT	127 mm	94 mm	64 mm	540 g	400	n	Feb 2005	US$ 899	ebay.com
4.		Leica Digilux 3	146 mm	87 mm	77 mm	606 g	750	n	Sep 2006	US$ 1 499	ebay.com
5.		Nikon D1	157 mm	153 mm	85 mm	1100 g	..	Y	Jun 1999	US$ 5 499	ebay.com
6.		Nikon D1H	157 mm	153 mm	85 mm	1100 g	1200	Y	Feb 2001	US$ 4 499	ebay.com
7.		Nikon D1X	157 mm	153 mm	85 mm	1100 g	1200	Y	Feb 2001	US$ 5 999	ebay.com
8.		Nikon D2X	158 mm	150 mm	86 mm	1252 g	3800	Y	Sep 2004	US$ 4 999	ebay.com
9.		Nikon D2Xs	158 mm	150 mm	86 mm	1252 g	3800	Y	Jun 2006	US$ 4 699	ebay.com
10.		Nikon D200	147 mm	113 mm	74 mm	920 g	400	Y	Nov 2005	US$ 1 699	ebay.com
11.		Nikon D300	147 mm	114 mm	74 mm	925 g	1000	Y	Aug 2007	US$ 1 799	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D300S	147 mm	115 mm	81 mm	938 g	950	Y	Jul 2009	US$ 1 799	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D700	147 mm	123 mm	77 mm	1074 g	1000	Y	Jul 2008	US$ 2 999	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D810	146 mm	123 mm	82 mm	980 g	1200	Y	Jun 2014	US$ 3 299	ebay.com
15.		Olympus E-300	147 mm	85 mm	64 mm	624 g	750	n	Sep 2004	US$ 799	ebay.com
16.		Olympus E-500	130 mm	95 mm	66 mm	479 g	750	n	Sep 2005	US$ 599	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic L1	146 mm	87 mm	64 mm	606 g	750	n	Feb 2006	US$ 999	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The retail prices at the time of the camera’s release place the model in the market relative to other models in the producer’s line-up and the competition. The E-330 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 71 percent) than the D2H, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Nikon D2H features an APS-C sensor and the Olympus E-330 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the E-330 is 38 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.5 and 2.0. The sensor in the D2H has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the E-330 offers a 4:3 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the E-330 offers a higher resolution of 7.4 megapixels, compared with 4 MP of the D2H. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 5.51μm versus 9.50μm for the D2H). However, it should be noted that the E-330 is much more recent (by 2 years and 6 months) than the D2H, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Olympus E-330 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the E-330 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 15.7 x 11.8 inches or 39.8 x 29.9 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 12.5 x 9.4 inches or 31.9 x 23.9 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 10.5 x 7.8 inches or 26.6 x 19.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D2H are 12.3 x 8.2 inches or 31.3 x 20.7 cm for good quality, 9.9 x 6.5 inches or 25 x 16.6 cm for very good quality, and 8.2 x 5.4 inches or 20.9 x 13.8 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Nikon D2H has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 200-6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus Evolt E-330 are ISO 100 to ISO 400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-1600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Nikon D2H	APS-C	4.0	2464	1632	none	18.9	10.0	352	40
2.		Olympus E-330	Four Thirds	7.4	3136	2352	none	20.8	10.4	73	52
3.		Canon XT	APS-C	8.0	3456	2304	none	21.8	10.8	637	60
4.		Leica Digilux 3	Four Thirds	7.4	3136	2352	none	21.0	10.6	127	53
5.		Nikon D1	APS-C	2.6	2000	1312	none	..	..	..	..
6.		Nikon D1H	APS-C	2.6	2000	1312	none	..	..	..	..
7.		Nikon D1X	APS-C	5.9	3008	1960	none	..	..	..	..
8.		Nikon D2X	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.1	10.9	476	59
9.		Nikon D2Xs	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.2	10.9	489	59
10.		Nikon D200	APS-C	10.0	3872	2592	none	22.3	11.5	583	64
11.		Nikon D300	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	none	22.1	12.0	679	67
12.		Nikon D300S	APS-C	12.2	4288	2848	720/24p	22.5	12.2	787	70
13.		Nikon D700	Full Frame	12.1	4256	2832	none	23.5	12.2	2303	80
14.		Nikon D810	Full Frame	36.2	7360	4912	1080/60p	25.7	14.8	2853	97
15.		Olympus E-300	Four Thirds	8.0	3264	2448	none	20.4	10.1	-40	48
16.		Olympus E-500	Four Thirds	8.0	3264	2448	none	20.7	10.3	45	51
17.		Panasonic L1	Four Thirds	7.4	3136	2352	none	20.8	10.4	80	52
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The D2H and the E-330 are similar in the sense that both have an optical viewfinder. The latter is useful for getting a clear image for framing even in brightly lit environments. The viewfinder in the D2H offers a wider field of view (100%) than the one in the E-330 (95%), so that a larger proportion of the captured image is visible in the finder. In addition, the viewfinder of the D2H has a higher magnification (0.57x vs 0.47x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Nikon D2H and Olympus E-330 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Nikon D2H	optical	Y	2.5 / 211	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	n	n
2.		Olympus E-330	optical	n	2.5 / 215	tilting	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
3.		Canon XT	optical	n	1.8 / 115	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
4.		Leica Digilux 3	optical	n	2.5 / 207	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
5.		Nikon D1	optical	Y	2.0 / 120	fixed	n	1/16000s	4.5/s	n	n
6.		Nikon D1H	optical	Y	2.0 / 120	fixed	n	1/16000s	5.0/s	n	n
7.		Nikon D1X	optical	Y	2.0 / 120	fixed	n	1/16000s	3.0/s	n	n
8.		Nikon D2X	optical	Y	2.5 / 235	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
9.		Nikon D2Xs	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	n	n
10.		Nikon D200	optical	Y	2.5 / 230	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
11.		Nikon D300	optical	Y	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/8000s	6.0/s	Y	n
12.		Nikon D300S	optical	Y	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/8000s	7.0/s	Y	n
13.		Nikon D700	optical	Y	3.0 / 922	fixed	n	1/8000s	8.0/s	Y	n
14.		Nikon D810	optical	Y	3.2 / 1229	fixed	n	1/8000s	5.0/s	Y	n
15.		Olympus E-300	optical	n	1.8 / 134	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	n
16.		Olympus E-500	optical	n	2.5 / 215	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	n
17.		Panasonic L1	optical	n	2.5 / 207	fixed	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One feature that is present on the D2H, but is missing on the E-330 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The D2H writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the E-330 uses Compact Flash or xD Picture cards. The E-330 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the D2H only has one slot.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Nikon D2H and Olympus Evolt E-330 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Nikon D2H	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Olympus E-330	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Canon XT	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Leica Digilux 3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Nikon D1	Y	- / -	-	-	-	FW	-	-	-
6.		Nikon D1H	Y	- / -	-	-	-	FW	-	-	-
7.		Nikon D1X	Y	- / -	-	-	-	FW	-	-	-
8.		Nikon D2X	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Nikon D2Xs	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Nikon D200	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Nikon D300	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Nikon D300S	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Nikon D700	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Nikon D810	Y	stereo / mono	Y	Y	mini	3.0	Y	-	-
15.		Olympus E-300	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Olympus E-500	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Panasonic L1	Y	- / -	-	-	-	2.0	-	-	-

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D2H (unlike the E-330) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the D2H and the E-330 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The D2H was replaced by the Nikon D2Hs, while the E-330 does not have a direct successor. Further information on the features and operation of the D2H and E-330 can be found, respectively, in the Nikon D2H Manual (free pdf) or the online Olympus E-330 Manual.

Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Is the Nikon D2H better than the Olympus E-330 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Nikon D2H:

• Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
• Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
• More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
• Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
• More complete view: Has a viewfinder with a larger field of view (100% vs 95%).
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.57x vs 0.47x).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (2900 versus 750) on a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in July 2003).

Advantages of the Olympus Evolt E-330:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (7.4 vs 4MP), which boosts linear resolution by 33%.
• More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
• More compact: Is smaller (140x87mm vs 158x150mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 433g or 40 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (71 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 2 years and 6 months of technical progress since the D2H launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the D2H is the clear winner of the match-up (14 : 8 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Nikon D2H and the Olympus E-330 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera listing whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the D2H or the E-330. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Nikon D2H	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Jul 2003	US$ 3 499	ebay.com
2.		Olympus E-330	..	..	..	+	o	..	Jan 2006	US$ 999	ebay.com
3.		Canon XT	..	80/100	..	+ +	o	..	Feb 2005	US$ 899	ebay.com
4.		Leica Digilux 3	..	..	..	..	..	..	Sep 2006	US$ 1 499	ebay.com
5.		Nikon D1	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Jun 1999	US$ 5 499	ebay.com
6.		Nikon D1H	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Feb 2001	US$ 4 499	ebay.com
7.		Nikon D1X	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Feb 2001	US$ 5 999	ebay.com
8.		Nikon D2X	..	..	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2004	US$ 4 999	ebay.com
9.		Nikon D2Xs	..	..	..	..	..	..	Jun 2006	US$ 4 699	ebay.com
10.		Nikon D200	..	+ +	..	+ +	o	..	Nov 2005	US$ 1 699	ebay.com
11.		Nikon D300	..	+ +	..	+ +	5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2007	US$ 1 799	ebay.com
12.		Nikon D300S	5/5	+ +	..	82/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2009	US$ 1 799	ebay.com
13.		Nikon D700	..	89/100	..	+ +	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2008	US$ 2 999	ebay.com
14.		Nikon D810	5/5	..	5/5	86/100	5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2014	US$ 3 299	ebay.com
15.		Olympus E-300	..	..	..	+	o	4.5/5	Sep 2004	US$ 799	ebay.com
16.		Olympus E-500	..	76/100	..	+ +	..	..	Sep 2005	US$ 599	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic L1	..	85/100	..	+	..	3.5/5	Feb 2006	US$ 999	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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