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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
60
Imaging
46
Features
54
Overall
49
Olympus E-30 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1 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 GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Announced October 2009
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF2
Photography Glossary

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Olympus E-30 versus Panasonic GF1, former being a Advanced DSLR while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. The image resolution of the E-30 (12MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is fairly similar and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (Four Thirds).

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The E-30 was announced 6 months before the GF1 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus E-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the E-30 scores against the GF1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-30 over the Panasonic GF1

 E-30 GF1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Olympus E-30

 GF1 E-30 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Olympus E-30 and Panasonic GF1

 E-30 GF1 
AnnouncedMarch 2009October 2009Similar age
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus E-30 offers physical 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 GF1 has measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Look at the Olympus E-30 versus Panasonic GF1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the E-30 vs the GF1.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the E-30 and GF1 is 60 and 85 respectively.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the E-30 and GF1.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution so you can expect similar quality of photos but you should always factor the age of the products into consideration.

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus E-30
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF1
59
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-30 Street photography features
Panasonic GF1 Street photography features
72
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
64
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Sports photography camera
51
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery power (750 shots)
44
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery pack (380 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-30 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Travel photography camera
49
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery power (750 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
59
good battery pack (380 shots)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-30 Landscape photography details
Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography details
52
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery power (750 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
60
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (380 shots)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-30 Vlogging features
Panasonic GF1 Vlogging features
18
can't record video
25
provides face detection focus
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Olympus E-30 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-30 and Panasonic GF1
 Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Panasonic
Model Olympus E-30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2009-03-24 2009-10-14
Body design Mid-size SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic III+ Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
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
Max resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 45 107
Crop factor 2.1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology HyperCrystal II LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 98 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.56x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 13.00 m 6.00 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
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - AVCHD Lite
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 695 gr (1.53 lbs) 385 gr (0.85 lbs)
Dimensions 142 x 108 x 75mm (5.6" x 4.3" x 3.0") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 55 54
DXO Color Depth score 21.3 21.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.4 10.3
DXO Low light score 530 513
Other
Battery life 750 photographs 380 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BLM-1 -
Self timer Yes (12 or 2 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Compact Flash (Type I or II) / xD Picture Card SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $1,299 $400