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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
17
Overall
28

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2 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 FP2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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 FP2 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Ultracompact by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the FP2 (14MP) is relatively similar but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and FP2 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor size.

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The E-30 was revealed 9 months prior to the FP2 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the E-30 grades vs the FP2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Panasonic FP2

 E-30 FP2 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Olympus E-30

 FP2 E-30 
ReleasedJanuary 2010March 2009Newer by 9 months

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FP2

 E-30 FP2 
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen size
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Olympus E-30 comes with external dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") having a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) while the Panasonic FP2 has dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the E-30 vs the FP2.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the E-30 and FP2 is 60 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The pic below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the E-30 and FP2.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The E-30 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic FP2 will offer greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more aged E-30 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-30
Portrait photography with Panasonic FP2
59
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
28
MP count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography info
Panasonic FP2 Street photography info
72
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
55
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
more heavy than others in class (151g)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography info
Panasonic FP2 Sports photography info
51
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (750 per charge)
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
low frames per second (5.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Olympus E-30
Travel photography with Panasonic FP2
49
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse recording
bad battery (750 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
56
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (151g)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FP2 Landscape photography advice
52
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery (750 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
32
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic FP2 as a Vlogging camera
18
can't record video
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
more heavy than others in class (151 grams)
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FP2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FP2
 Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2
Type Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 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 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 35-140mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.9
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Available lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 13.00 m 4.90 m
Flash settings 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
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video data 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695g (1.53 lbs) 151g (0.33 lbs)
Physical 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 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 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery model BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $1,299 $80