Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FX90
60 Imaging
46 Features
54 Overall
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95 Imaging
35 Features
34 Overall
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FX90 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced March 2009
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-120mm (F2.5-5.9) lens
- 149g - 102 x 56 x 22mm
- Announced August 2011

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FX90 Overview
Below, we are reviewing the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FX90, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the FX90 (12MP) is fairly close but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and FX90 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor measurements.

The E-30 was brought out 3 years earlier than the FX90 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FX90 being a Compact camera.
Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a simple overview of how the E-30 matches up against the FX90 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FX90 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus E-30 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90. The entire galleries are available at Olympus E-30 Gallery & Panasonic FX90 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Panasonic FX90
E-30 | FX90 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX90 over the Olympus E-30
FX90 | E-30 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | August 2011 | ![]() | March 2009 | Fresher by 29 months |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+230k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FX90
E-30 | FX90 |
---|
Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FX90 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 enjoys external dimensions of 142mm x 108mm x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") with a weight of 695 grams (1.53 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FX90 has measurements of 102mm x 56mm x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 149 grams (0.33 lbs).
Contrast the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FX90 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the E-30 and the FX90.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the E-30 and FX90 is 60 and 95 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FX90 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor sizing just by viewing technical specs. The graphic here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and FX90.
As you have seen, both of the cameras have got the exact same megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The E-30 contains the larger sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field simpler. The older E-30 will be behind in sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FX90 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FX90 Specifications
Olympus E-30 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model | Olympus E-30 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90 |
Type | Advanced DSLR | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2009-03-24 | 2011-08-26 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | 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 | 12MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4032 x 3024 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection AF | ||
Contract detection AF | ||
Phase detection AF | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 24-120mm (5.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/2.5-5.9 |
Macro focus range | - | 3cm |
Available lenses | 45 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | HyperCrystal II LCD | TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 98 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.56x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shooting rate | 5.0 frames/s | 4.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 13.00 m | 5.90 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 reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/250 seconds | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
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 gr (1.53 pounds) | 149 gr (0.33 pounds) |
Dimensions | 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") | 102 x 56 x 22mm (4.0" x 2.2" x 0.9") |
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 | 200 pictures |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | 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 | Single | Single |
Pricing at launch | $1,299 | $227 |