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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1 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 Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 695g - 142 x 108 x 75mm
  • Announced March 2009
Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Released January 2010
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FP1, one being a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the FP1 (12MP) is relatively similar but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and FP1 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizing.

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The E-30 was brought out 9 months prior to the FP1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-30 matches up against the FP1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Panasonic FP1

 E-30 FP1 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Olympus E-30

 FP1 E-30 
ReleasedJanuary 2010March 2009Fresher by 9 months

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FP1

 E-30 FP1 
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Olympus E-30 offers exterior measurements of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") along with a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) and the Panasonic FP1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") along with a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FP1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the E-30 against the FP1.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and FP1 is 60 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading specs. The graphic below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the E-30 and FP1.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The E-30 comes with the bigger sensor which will make obtaining bokeh easier. The older E-30 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic FP1 as a Portrait photography camera
59
manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography features
Panasonic FP1 Street photography features
72
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
more heavy than competition (151 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic FP1 as a Sports photography camera
51
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
low battery life (750 per charge)
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max fps low (6.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-30
Travel photography with Panasonic FP1
49
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery life (750 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
50
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (151 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography info
Panasonic FP1 Landscape photography info
52
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12MP)
low battery life (750 shots)
does not have Time Lapse function
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging information
Panasonic FP1 Vlogging information
18
no video recording
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than competition (151g)
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FP1
 Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1
Category Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Announced 2009-03-24 2010-01-06
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Venus Engine IV
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Available lenses 45 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 4.90 m (Auto ISO)
Flash options 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
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
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 (30fps), 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 grams (1.53 lbs) 151 grams (0.33 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 pictures -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $1,299 $153