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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3 Key Specs

Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Introduced March 2009
Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FS11
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FH3, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the FH3 (14MP) is fairly similar but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and FH3 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The E-30 was unveiled 9 months before the FH3 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the E-30 scores vs the FH3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Panasonic FH3

 E-30 FH3 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Olympus E-30

 FH3 E-30 
RevealedJanuary 2010March 2009More modern by 9 months

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FH3

 E-30 FH3 
Display sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus E-30 provides external dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FH3 has specifications of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs).

Examine the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FH3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the E-30 versus the FH3.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and FH3 is 60 and 94 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by reviewing specs. The picture underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and FH3.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The E-30 using its larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Panasonic FH3 will offer you greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged E-30 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-30
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH3
59
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
28
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography factors
Panasonic FH3 Street photography factors
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus E-30
Sports photography with Panasonic FH3
51
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (750 per charge)
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic FH3 as a Travel photography camera
49
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (750 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
64
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus E-30
Landscape photography with Panasonic FH3
52
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (750 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
37
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging factors
Panasonic FH3 Vlogging factors
18
no video recording
29
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FH3
 Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
General Information
Brand Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-FS11
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-03-24 2010-01-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8-6.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 6.80 m
Flash modes Auto, Manual, Fill, Red-eye reduction, Slow sync with red-eye reduction, Slow sync, Slow sync 2nd curtain, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695g (1.53 pounds) 165g (0.36 pounds)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 530 not tested
Other
Battery life 750 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $1,299 $160