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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6 Key Specs

Olympus E-30
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 2.7" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Revealed March 2009
Panasonic FH6
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 119g - 96 x 56 x 20mm
  • Released January 2012
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FH6, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the FH6 (14MP) is pretty similar but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and FH6 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The E-30 was launched 3 years prior to the FH6 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FH6 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short highlight of how the E-30 grades vs the FH6 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Panasonic FH6

 E-30 FH6 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FH6 over the Olympus E-30

 FH6 E-30 
ReleasedJanuary 2012March 2009Fresher by 34 months

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FH6

 E-30 FH6 
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-30 has exterior 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) and the Panasonic FH6 has dimensions of 96mm x 56mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8") having a weight of 119 grams (0.26 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FH6 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the E-30 versus the FH6.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-30 and FH6 is 60 and 96 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-30 and FH6.

All in all, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The E-30 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF simpler and the Panasonic FH6 will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older E-30 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-30
Portrait photography with Panasonic FH6
59
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
33
MP count decent (14MP)
offers face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography info
Panasonic FH6 Street photography info
72
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (119 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FH6 Sports photography advice
51
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (750 CIPA)
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good battery life (280 shots)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-30
Travel photography with Panasonic FH6
49
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery life (750 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
70
good battery life (280 shots)
lighter than others (119 grams)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FH6 Landscape photography advice
52
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.7 inch)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (750 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
41
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
good battery life (280 CIPA)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging info
Panasonic FH6 Vlogging info
18
can't shoot video
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than others (119 grams)
slow max aperture (f2.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FH6 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FH6
 Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
General Information
Company Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH6
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2009-03-24 2012-01-09
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-120mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture - f/2.5-6.4
Macro focus distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 4.60 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 reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 grams (1.53 lbs) 119 grams (0.26 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 96 x 56 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 530 not tested
Other
Battery life 750 photographs 280 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $1,299 $129