Clicky

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100 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
  • Introduced March 2009
Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Later Model is Panasonic FZ200
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Olympus E-30 versus Panasonic FZ100, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the FZ100 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the E-30 (Four Thirds) and FZ100 (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The E-30 was announced 16 months earlier than the FZ100 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the E-30 matches up versus the FZ100 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Panasonic FZ100

 E-30 FZ100 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Olympus E-30

 FZ100 E-30 
AnnouncedJuly 2010March 2009Newer by 16 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FZ100

 E-30 FZ100 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Olympus E-30 enjoys external dimensions 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 FZ100 has sizing of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs).

Check the Olympus E-30 versus Panasonic FZ100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the E-30 vs the FZ100.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and FZ100 is 60 and 67 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by seeing technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and FZ100.

As you can tell, both the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The E-30 having a bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic FZ100 will provide extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged E-30 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-30 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography factors
59
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution low (12MP)
54
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography info
Panasonic FZ100 Street photography info
72
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
58
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors in class (540g)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 Sports photography advice
Panasonic FZ100 Sports photography advice
51
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery (750 CIPA)
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 Travel photography highlights
Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography highlights
49
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery (750 CIPA)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
59
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (600mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
heavier than competitors in class (540 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography details
Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography details
52
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
small screen (2.7")
sensor resolution low (12MP)
not so great battery (750 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
51
focusing manually
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging details
Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging details
18
can't record video
64
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
heavier than competitors in class (540 grams)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic FZ100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Panasonic FZ100
 Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus E-30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
Class Advanced DSLR Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-03-24 2010-07-21
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4032 x 3024 4320 x 3240
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Largest aperture - f/2.8-5.2
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 45 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 11.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.00 m 9.50 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 Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video format - AVCHD
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 695g (1.53 lbs) 540g (1.19 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $1,299 $500