Size and weight are big decision factors when you are trying to find the ideal camera for your needs.
In this section, we are going to illustrate the Canon SX30 IS and Olympus E-PL1s side-by-side from the front, back and top in their relative dimensions. Canon SX30 IS has external dimensions of 123 x 92 x 108 mm (4.84 x 3.62 x 4.25″) and weighs 601 g (1.32 lb / 21.20 oz) (including batteries). Olympus E-PL1s has external dimensions of 115 x 72 x 42 mm (4.53 x 2.83 x 1.65″) and weighs 334 g (0.74 lb / 11.78 oz) (including batteries).
Below you can see the front-view size comparison of the Canon SX30 IS and the Olympus E-PL1s. Olympus E-PL1s is clearly the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 8mm narrower, 20mm shorter and 66mm thinner than Canon SX30 IS. As you can tell, actually this is not a fair size comparison since Canon SX30 IS has a built-in lens but Olympus E-PL1s doesn't. Once you put a lens on E-PL1s, its thickness will increase significantly.
Weight is another important factor, especially when deciding on a camera that you want to carry with you all day.
Olympus E-PL1s is significantly lighter (267g ) than the Canon SX30 IS which may become a big advantage especially on long walking trips.
Again, this comparison may not be very useful in real life as we are comparing the weight of a camera with a built-in lens to the body-only weight of an interchangeable lens camera. Once you put a lens on E-PL1s, the total kit will weigh much higher.
Weather Sealing
Unfortunately neither the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS nor Olympus PEN E-PL1s provides any type of weather sealing in their bodies, so you have to give extra care especially when you are shooting outdoors. If weather sealing is a must-have feature for you, check these sections: Top Bridge Cameras with Weather Sealing Top Mirrorless Cameras with Weather Sealing
LCD Screen Size and Features
Canon SX30 IS and Olympus E-PL1s's LCD screens have the same diagonal size of 2.70 inches.
On the other hand, Canon SX30 IS sports a
Fully Articulated screen which you can change the angle and position of the screen almost freely, making it possible to shoot from waist or over-the-head levels, and especially very useful for shooting selfies and video. Olympus E-PL1s's LCD screen is a fixed type which provides almost no flexibility in shooting positions compared to SX30 IS.